How hypoxia-induced diabetes develops and is maintained in children born preterm

A puzzling metabolic question is the emergence of rapid-onset diabetes in the postnatal period of pre-term infants without the usual preceding prodromal characteristics. The etio-pathophysiology is unclear, but continues to be a concern, since the prevalence remains a significant health issue. We hypothesize that this new diabetes type is hypoxemia-driven from compromised ventilation <i>via</i> periodic breathing or apnea of infancy during the immediate postnatal period. The resulting intermittent hypoxia leads to elevated cytosolic chloride levels in pancreatic beta-cells affecting insulin secretion and disturbed glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 function resulting from lowered With-no-lysine (k) kinase (WNK)1 levels in the skeletal musculature. In addition, the peripheral cellular effects are coupled with prolonged elevated sympathetic outflow elicited by the disrupted breathing. This mini-review discusses current research gaps and provides insights into potential interventions for the widespread epidemic of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.