[Induced hypoglycemia. A unusual case of child battering]

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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

M Caruso, P Bregani, B Di Natale

    Minerva Pediatrica
    |October 1, 1989
    PubMed

    Insights

    Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP) is a form of child abuse where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a child. In this case, a mother administered glibenclamide, causing severe hypoglycemia in her 12-year-old child.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Child Abuse
    • Endocrinology

    Background:

    • Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP) is a rare but serious form of child abuse.
    • It involves fabricating or inducing illness in a child by a caregiver, often a parent.
    • Accurate diagnosis can be challenging, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

    Observation:

    • A 12-year-old child presented with recurrent, severe hypoglycemia.
    • The child underwent extensive investigations and a subtotal pancreatectomy.
    • Maternal administration of glibenclamide was identified as the cause of induced hypoglycemia.

    Findings:

    • The case highlights the critical role of psychological evaluation in diagnosing MSP.
    • Early identification and intervention are crucial for the child's well-being.
    • The child's condition resolved after the mother's removal from the child's presence.

    Implications:

    • This case underscores the importance of considering MSP in unexplained pediatric illnesses, especially those involving recurrent hypoglycemia.
    • It emphasizes the need for collaboration between medical professionals, psychologists, and legal authorities in managing such complex cases.
    • Protecting the child requires prompt and decisive action, including legal intervention when necessary.

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