A new test for a rare condition which is the "opposite" of diabetes has been unveiled by British researchers.
And the Manchester University researchers say their findings have wider implications for research into the problem congenital hyperinsulinism.
The condition leads to the production of too much insulin – leading to children being short of blood sugar.
In about two-thirds of cases, there is no known genetic cause.
The latest research pin-pointed digestive hormones called incretins as being involved in the disease.
The new test identifies high levels of incretins – a sign that the disease is present. The findings have been reported in the Journal of Paediatrics.
The study involved 13 children with the disease.
Researcher Dr Indi Banerjee, consultant in paediatric endocrinology at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, said: “Our new results are timely since clinical trials of a new incretin-blocking treatment for congenital hyperinsulinism have recently started.
"We anticipate that our clinical test will help to identify the patients who are likely to benefit from this new treatment the most.”
Increased plasma incretin concentrations identifies a subset of patients with persistent congenital hyperinsulinism without KATP channel gene defects. Journal of Paediatrics 23 October 2014
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