Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hyperinsulinism (HI) is a rare, life-threatening condition affecting 1 in 28,000 babies each year. It results from inappropriate, unregulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, leading to hypoglycaemia. High insulin levels prevent the utilisation of alternative fuels essential for the brain; hence hypoglycaemia can lead to seizures, developmental delay, visual impairment and even death.

Objective: As experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) at a Highly Specialised Congenital Hyperinsulinism Centre, our aim was to raise awareness of HI. This was achieved by sharing knowledge to improve early recognition, diagnosis and to prevent adverse outcomes.

Methods: We identified key health care professionals who would have the biggest impact on patient outcomes. This target group included bedside midwives, neonatal nurses / doctors, health visitors and general paediatricians. It was vital that the take home messages were impactful and could be implemented. We worked with the Royal College of Midwives and together the HI CNSs from the two UK Highly Specialised Centres delivered a webinar presentation. To reach other health care professionals we held a hybrid conference inviting National and International HI experts. A nursing article is awaiting publication. Lastly, we have worked with the UK and International HI parent groups to produce resources that are shared online.

Results: Raising awareness of HI led to much discussion and interest. The numbers of professionals attending the webinar and conference reflected this, with comments such as “I will be far more cautious with low glucose on post-natal wards or in A&E”. There is an ongoing demand for further teaching sessions and future publications.

Conclusion: This interdisciplinary approach to raising awareness of HI has demonstrated the clear need for ongoing education. Early recognition and intervention are critical in preventing irreversible brain injury in affected infants. Preventing harm in even a single case validates the importance for us to continue with this work of raising awareness of HI.