Transient hepatomegaly and hypoglycemia. A consequence of malicious insulin administration.

On two occasions, a 3 1/2-year-old black girl had severe hypoglycemia associated with transient hepatomegaly. The plasma insulin level during the second hypoglycemic episode was excessive and led to a diagnosis of malicious insulin administration. We suggest that plasma be obtained for insulin determination in children with hypoglycemia, and that transient hepatomegaly may be a helpful sign in cases of insulin overdose.