Hyperosmolar non-ketotic hyperglycaemia during oral diazoxide therapy of prolonged hyperglycaemia in infancy.

Diazoxide is a benzothiadiazine derivative, chemically closely related to thiazide diuretics but lacking diuretic activity. Fajans et al (1968) have recorded this agent's ability of supress insulin release from normal and abnormal islet cell tissue. This property was exploited in the treatment of our patient, a 16 week-old infant with severe, prolonged symtomatic hypoglycaemia. Unfortunate adverse effects of the treatment included hyperosmolar non-ketotic hyperglycaemia and marked hirsutism.