Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series

Abstract Background Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare disorder characterized by inappropriate insulin secretion, leading to persistent hypoglycemia. One genetic subtype, hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome, results from activating mutations in the GLUD1 gene. This study aimed to describe the...

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Main Authors: Miral M. Abdulghfar, Afaf Alsagheir, Ismail A. Abdullah, Raghad Alhuthil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05355-3
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author Miral M. Abdulghfar
Afaf Alsagheir
Ismail A. Abdullah
Raghad Alhuthil
author_facet Miral M. Abdulghfar
Afaf Alsagheir
Ismail A. Abdullah
Raghad Alhuthil
author_sort Miral M. Abdulghfar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare disorder characterized by inappropriate insulin secretion, leading to persistent hypoglycemia. One genetic subtype, hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome, results from activating mutations in the GLUD1 gene. This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum, genetic variants, and outcomes of patients with GLUD1-related hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome treated at a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective case series included five patients of Saudi ethnicity diagnosed with GLUD1-associated hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome between September and November 2023 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Clinical, biochemical, imaging, and genetic data were collected from medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Results All five patients (four pediatric, one adult) presented with hypoglycemia, elevated insulin levels, and persistent hyperammonemia. Genetic testing confirmed GLUD1 mutations in all cases, with two patients sharing the c.1493C > T (p.Ser498Leu) variant. Diazoxide therapy effectively controlled hypoglycemia in most patients. Two patients experienced significant neurological complications, including seizures and developmental delay. One adult patient underwent pancreatectomy with improvement in hypoglycemia control but retained chronic neurological sequelae. Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and secondary genetic variants were identified in two cases. Conclusion GLUD1-related hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome presents with a wide clinical spectrum, often with early onset and risk of neurological impairment if not promptly treated. Early diagnosis and individualized management—including genetic testing and diazoxide therapy—are essential to prevent irreversible complications. Further multicenter studies are warranted to better understand long-term outcomes in affected populations.
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spelling doaj-art-b67be3dfc6a141c39598343b87e6ef7d2025-08-20T04:02:57ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-07-011911910.1186/s13256-025-05355-3Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case seriesMiral M. Abdulghfar0Afaf Alsagheir1Ismail A. Abdullah2Raghad Alhuthil3Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research CentreDepartment of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research CentreCollege of Medicine, Alfaisal UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research CentreAbstract Background Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare disorder characterized by inappropriate insulin secretion, leading to persistent hypoglycemia. One genetic subtype, hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome, results from activating mutations in the GLUD1 gene. This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum, genetic variants, and outcomes of patients with GLUD1-related hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome treated at a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective case series included five patients of Saudi ethnicity diagnosed with GLUD1-associated hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome between September and November 2023 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Clinical, biochemical, imaging, and genetic data were collected from medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Results All five patients (four pediatric, one adult) presented with hypoglycemia, elevated insulin levels, and persistent hyperammonemia. Genetic testing confirmed GLUD1 mutations in all cases, with two patients sharing the c.1493C > T (p.Ser498Leu) variant. Diazoxide therapy effectively controlled hypoglycemia in most patients. Two patients experienced significant neurological complications, including seizures and developmental delay. One adult patient underwent pancreatectomy with improvement in hypoglycemia control but retained chronic neurological sequelae. Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and secondary genetic variants were identified in two cases. Conclusion GLUD1-related hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome presents with a wide clinical spectrum, often with early onset and risk of neurological impairment if not promptly treated. Early diagnosis and individualized management—including genetic testing and diazoxide therapy—are essential to prevent irreversible complications. Further multicenter studies are warranted to better understand long-term outcomes in affected populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05355-3Congenital hyperinsulinismGLUD1HypoglycaemiaHyperammonemiaCase seriesSaudi Arabia
spellingShingle Miral M. Abdulghfar
Afaf Alsagheir
Ismail A. Abdullah
Raghad Alhuthil
Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Congenital hyperinsulinism
GLUD1
Hypoglycaemia
Hyperammonemia
Case series
Saudi Arabia
title Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
title_full Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
title_fullStr Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
title_full_unstemmed Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
title_short Hyperinsulinism–hyperammonemia syndrome associated with GLUD1 gene mutation: a case series
title_sort hyperinsulinism hyperammonemia syndrome associated with glud1 gene mutation a case series
topic Congenital hyperinsulinism
GLUD1
Hypoglycaemia
Hyperammonemia
Case series
Saudi Arabia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05355-3
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