What? Hyperinsulinism shorten as "HI" is a rare genetic disorder which causes the pancreatic cells in the pancreas to produce too much insulin, thus resulting in low blood glucose levels. The OPPOSITE of diabetes. 

 

Who? HI affects about 1 in every 50,000 births. HI does not discriminate gender, race etc. 

 

When? HI is genetically inherited and most babies have symptoms appear at birth or within the first 4 months. Even when symptoms appear for many patients diagnosis can take years because of the rareness and lack of general knowledge about HI. 

 

Where? People all over the globe are affected by HI. 

 

Why? HI can be caused by a number of factors such as a genetic mutation passed on from parent(s) to child or a spontaneous mutation.   

 

Symptoms: Common symptoms include irritability, sleepiness, lethargy, excessive hunger, rapid heart rate, feelings of shakiness, weakness, or tiredness and confusion.More severe symptoms, such as seizures and coma, can occur with a prolonged or extremely low blood sugar level.

 

Treatments: Medications used to treat HI include ONLY 3 medications diazoxide, octreotide, and glucagon. If those treatments do not work, a pancreatectomy (The surgical removal of the pancreas) is the last resort.