Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy (KAPPHy study).

StudyJournal of endocrinological investigation· Jul 2026

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy (KAPPHy study).

Arianna Maiorana, Roberta Pajno, Francesco Tagliaferri … SIMMESN/SIEDP Intersocietary Working Group

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Medical Genetics & GenomicsStudyClinical practiceQ2IF 4.2

Italian pediatric specialists disagree on hypoglycemia threshold; only 34.7% use 50 mg/dL.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy (KAPPHy study).

Arianna Maiorana … SIMMESN/SIEDP Intersocietary Working Group

Journal of endocrinological investigation · Jul 2026

Background

Childhood hypoglycemia is associated with relevant morbidity and likely long-term neurological sequelae.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate current diagnostic and therapeutic practices for pediatric hypoglycemia management in Italy among members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SIEDP) and the Italian Society of Metabolic Diseases and Newborn Screening (SIMMESN).

Methods

An anonymous electronic survey including 43 questions about management of pediatric hypoglycemia was sent to SIEDP and SIMMESN members.

n = 118 respondents

Results

less than half agree on 50 mg/dL as the cutoff

34.7%

50 mg/dL

33.1%

60 mg/dL

22%

70 mg/dL

More results

A total of 118 respondents participated.

Most of them reported direct clinical experience in pediatric hypoglycemia and routinely used critical sampling during hypoglycemic episodes.

More results

Comparative analysis between societies showed no differences in most diagnostic procedures, but significant differences emerged in diagnostic thresholds (p = 0.005), with SIMMESN members selected 60 mg/dL more frequently (adjusted p = 0.020), and SIEDP members more frequently 70 mg/dL (adjusted p = 0.013).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Management of pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy is largely aligned with international recommendations.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Clinically relevant variability persists, particularly in diagnostic thresholds, adoption of molecular analysis, and technologies, likely reflecting different clinical focus and patient populations.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Our findings highlight the need for harmonized national recommendations and shared diagnostic definitions across scientific societies.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy (KAPPHy study).

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in pediatric hypoglycemia in Italy (KAPPHy study).

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