Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center

No. 1 in Diabetes & Endocrinology

Diabetes and Endocrinology Care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was rated the best in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report’s 2012-13 survey of Best Children’s Hospitals. Learn more »

Congenital Hyperinsulinism

Congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is a disorder that causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in infants and children. Other names that have been used in the past include nesidioblastosis or PHHI (persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy).

About the HI center

Congenital hyperinsulinism is rare; most children's hospitals encounter only one or two cases a year. Since October 1998 the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has evaluated and treated more than 400 patients — making it the largest program of its kind in North America.

Providing full services for congenital hyperinsulinism requires sophisticated multidisciplinary team capabilities. Our Center includes a team of specialists in endocrinology, pediatric surgery, pathology and interventional radiology who have long experience in treating infants with this condition.

In addition, CHOP has a nationally top-ranked neonatal intensive care unit, allowing us to provide seamless care for children with complex conditions.

Unique research

Our Center performs ¹⁸F-DOPA PET scanning under an FDA-approved research protocol (for appropriate cases). This innovative imaging technique helps surgeons pinpoint abnormal tissue and focal lesions, sparing healthy cells in the pancreas, significantly reducing the risks of diabetes in patients with focal HI, and potentially leading to a cure. This technology can reduce unnecessary near-total pancreatectomies.

Learn more

Please take a moment to explore our Web site. This site will:

Answer your questions about congenital HI
Update you on current HI research
Help you network with other families as well as with the hyperinsulinism team at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

For more information, please contact us at 215-590-7682 or hyperinsulin@email.chop.edu.

Contact Us

Hyperinsulinism Video

Watch our video
Hope Revealed: Unraveling the Mysteries of Hyperinsulinism.

Lainie's Story

Lainie was cured of her focal HI.
Read her story »

Read other patient stories »

HI Hope

Read our quarterly newsletter»

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Main Number: 215-590-1000
Physician Referral Service: 1-800-879-2467
Coordinates: 39.9486937, -75.1929596
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