Amir Naddaf, Vafa Ghorban Sabbagh , Ghazaleh Rasti, Raheleh Moradi, Mobina Taghva Nakhjiri ,
Volume 83, Issue 8 (11-2025)
Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common metabolic disturbance during the first days of life, particularly in infants with risk factors such as prematurity, perinatal stress, intrauterine growth restriction, or maternal diabetes. Early onset thrombocytopenia within the first 72 hours is often attributed to placental insufficiency and reduced platelet production, whereas persistent hypoglycemia beyond this period may indicate sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, or hyperinsulinemic states. Given that perinatal stress and asphyxia can predispose to both hypoglycemia and thrombocytopenia, simultaneous presentation of these conditions may complicate diagnosis and management. This case report describes a neonate with persistent hypoglycemia and thrombocytopenia unresponsive to standard therapies, ultimately attributed to transient hyperinsulinism.
Case Presentation: This case was managed and documented at Valiasr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in April 2023. A late preterm female infant born at 36+2 weeks via emergency cesarean section for intrauterine growth restriction and fetal distress presented with hypotonia and hypoglycemia (38 mg/dL) at 15 hours of life. Despite intravenous dextrose infusion up to 13 mg/kg/min, recurrent hypoglycemia persisted. Concurrently, severe thrombocytopenia (26,000/µL) was noted, unresponsive to platelet transfusion and intravenous immunoglobulin. Maternal platelet count was normal, excluding autoimmune etiologies. On day six, a glucagon stimulation test demonstrated a rise in glucose from 44 to 78 mg/dL, confirming hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated insulin levels with absent ketones. Glucagon infusion was initiated, followed by diazoxide therapy (15 mg/kg/day) beginning on day ten. After two doses, glucose levels stabilized above 50 mg/dL, allowing gradual reduction of intravenous fluids. Remarkably, platelet counts normalized within five days of diazoxide initiation. Diazoxide was tapered and discontinued by day 27, and the infant was discharged on day 31 with stable glucose levels and normal platelet counts.
Conclusion: This case highlights the coexistence of transient hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and thrombocytopenia in a neonate, both of which responded to diazoxide therapy. The temporal relationship suggests a potential modulatory effect of insulin or diazoxide on platelet dynamics. Further clinical and mechanistic studies are needed to clarify this association.
