Brain magnetic resonance imaging review suggests unrecognised hypoglycaemia in childhood

Neonatal and early-life hypoglycaemia, is a frequent finding but is often non-specific and asymptomatic, making detection and diagnosis challenging. Hypoglycaemia-induced cerebral injury can be identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in cerebral white matter, occipital lobes, and posterior parietotemporal regions. It is unknown if children may have hypoglycaemic brain injury secondary to unrecognised hypoglycaemia in early life. We have examined retrospective radiological findings of likely brain injury by neuroimaging to investigate the existence of previous missed hypoglycaemic events.

Retrospective MRI data in children in a single tertiary centre, over a ten-year period was reviewed to identify potential cases of unrecognised early-life hypoglycaemia. A detailed search from an electronic radiology repository involved the term "hypoglycaemia'' from text-based reports. The initial report was used for those who required serial scanning. Images specific to relevant reports were further reviewed by a designated paediatric neuroradiologist to confirm likely hypoglycaemia induced brain injury. Medical records of those children were subsequently reviewed to assess if the hypoglycaemia had been diagnosed prior to imaging.

A total of 107 MR imaging reports were identified for review, and 52 (48.5%) showed typical features strongly suggestive of hypoglycaemic brain injury. Medical note review confirmed no documented clinical information of hypoglycaemia prior to imaging in 22 (42%) patients, raising the likelihood of missed hypoglycaemic events resulting in brain injury.

We have identified the existence of unrecognised childhood hypoglycaemia through neuroimaging review. This study highlights the need for heightened awareness of early life hypoglycaemia to prevent adverse neurological outcomes later in childhood.