Attenuated response to insulin in very low birthweight infants.

Four hyperglycemia very low birthweight (VLBW) infants were given a constant infusion of insulin with parenteral alimentation in order to improve glucose tolerance. After an initial 45% decrease in serum glucose, intolerance recurred within hours to days despite delivery of as much as 16 units/kg/hour or regular insulin. Resulting serum insulin levels were as high as 72,000 microU/ml. It is suggested that insulin "resistance", instead of insulin deficiency, may be responsible for glucose intolerance in some infants.