Insulinoma associated with pregnancy.
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To report three cases of insulinoma associated with pregnancy.
METHODS
Case report.
METHODS
Divisions of Endocrinology and Gastroenterologic Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
METHODS
Three patients with hypoglycemic signs due to insulinoma appearing during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.
METHODS
Laparoscopic excision of insulinoma in two and laparotomy in one of the patients were performed after the end of their pregnancies.
METHODS
Disappearance of hypoglycemic crises and histologic proof of insulinomas.
RESULTS
In two of the three patients, hypoglycemia occurred within 2-12 weeks after delivery, suggesting that signs could have been masked because of metabolic changes during gestation; in the third patient, hypoglycemia appeared in the first trimester but was misinterpreted.
CONCLUSIONS
Insulinoma is often not suspected during the first trimester of pregnancy because signs resemble episodes of hypotension or emesis. Later, with the increase in insulin resistance, symptoms subside.
