PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Sreekantam
AU  - M A Preece
AU  - S Vijay
AU  - J Raiman
AU  - S Santra
TI  - How to use a controlled fast to investigate hypoglycaemia
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2015-308702
DP  - 2017 Feb 01
TA  - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
PG  - 28--36
VI  - 102
IP  - 1
4099  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/102/1/28.short
4100  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/102/1/28.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed2017 Feb 01; 102
AB  - Controlled fasts can play a valuable role in the diagnosis and management of hypoglycaemia in paediatric clinical practice, but are no substitute for the collecting of appropriate critical samples at the time of hypoglycaemia for metabolic and endocrine studies. Fatty acid oxidation defects, hyperinsulinism and adrenal insufficiency should always be excluded prior to organising controlled fasts. Controlled fasts are safe if conducted in an experienced setting with strict protocols in place. Failure to adhere to protocol can defeat the purpose of the study and can potentially be dangerous. Proper planning in conjunction with the laboratory and close supervision by staff experienced in controlled fasts is crucial to ensure the best quality information is yielded from these procedures.