Hypoglycemia in a child with congenital muscular dystrophy. 1989

S Shu, and R P Cruse, and G P Redmond
Department of Endocrinology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195-5053.

Since skeletal muscle is an important source of precursor for gluconeogenesis, it would not be surprising if carbohydrate metabolism was altered in some muscle disorders. We report a 7-10/12-year-old white male with congenital muscular dystrophy whose recurrent episodes of vomiting and dehydration were due to fasting hypoglycemia. He was found to have a blood glucose of 21 mg/dl with an episode of vomiting and dehydration. Diagnostic fasting replicated the symptoms and hypoglycemia. Associated laboratory findings included hypoalaninemia, ketonemia, and acidosis. With use of frequent feedings, there were no further episodes over 1-9/12 years of observation. To our knowledge this is the first report of hypoglycemia complicating muscular dystrophy. However, hypoglycemia may not be diagnosed because of the nonspecific nature of the symptoms. Hypoglycemia should be considered when children with reduced muscle mass develop otherwise unexplained vomiting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007003 Hypoglycemia A syndrome of abnormally low BLOOD GLUCOSE level. Clinical hypoglycemia has diverse etiologies. Severe hypoglycemia eventually lead to glucose deprivation of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM resulting in HUNGER; SWEATING; PARESTHESIA; impaired mental function; SEIZURES; COMA; and even DEATH. Fasting Hypoglycemia,Postabsorptive Hypoglycemia,Postprandial Hypoglycemia,Reactive Hypoglycemia,Hypoglycemia, Fasting,Hypoglycemia, Postabsorptive,Hypoglycemia, Postprandial,Hypoglycemia, Reactive
D008297 Male Males
D009136 Muscular Dystrophies A heterogeneous group of inherited MYOPATHIES, characterized by wasting and weakness of the SKELETAL MUSCLE. They are categorized by the sites of MUSCLE WEAKNESS; AGE OF ONSET; and INHERITANCE PATTERNS. Muscular Dystrophy,Myodystrophica,Myodystrophy,Dystrophies, Muscular,Dystrophy, Muscular,Myodystrophicas,Myodystrophies
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003681 Dehydration The condition that results from excessive loss of water from a living organism. Water Stress,Stress, Water
D005215 Fasting Abstaining from FOOD. Hunger Strike,Hunger Strikes,Strike, Hunger,Strikes, Hunger
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014839 Vomiting The forcible expulsion of the contents of the STOMACH through the MOUTH. Emesis

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