<p>Recent Advances in Neonatal Diabetes</p>
Amanda Dahl, Seema Kumar
Abstract
Abstract: Neonatal diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined by the onset of persistent hyperglycemia within the first six months of life but may present up to 12 months of life. A gene mutation affecting pancreatic beta cells or synthesis/secretion of insulin is present in more than 80% of the children with neonatal diabetes. Neonatal DM can be transient, permanent, or be a component of a syndrome. Genetic testing is important as a specific genetic mutation can significantly alter the treatment and outcome. Patients with mutations of either KCNJ11 or ABCC8 that encode subunits of the K ATP channel gene mutation can be managed with sulfonylurea oral therapy while patients with other genetic mutations require insulin treatment. Keywords: neonatal diabetes, KCNJ11, sulfonylurea, ABCC8