Genetic defect can cause severe hypoglycemia
Washington, Oct 7 (Prensa Latina) A genetic defect may cause a rare form of hypoglycemia that requires children to be fed through a tube inserted into the stomach, a trade publication released today.

A mutation in the gene AKT2, apparently, is what causes the severe decrease in blood glucose levels that remain in suspense to the family of these children, wrote scientists from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, in the journal Science.

They explained that hypoglycemia is associated with a gap between the hormone insulin and glucose.

One in every 100 000 babies come with a genetic flaw that causes hypoglycemia, even when there is no insulin in the blood.

Children with this severe condition must be fed with a tube inserted into the stomach.

Genetic analysis of three of these patients showed a mutation in AKT2, which experts insulin acts as if it were always present, which lowers blood sugar.

Scientists believe that cancer drugs targeting the AKT1 gene can also be used to control severe hypoglycemia.

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