THE SYNDROME of transient diabetes mellitus in the newborn has been well documented by Cornblath and Schwartz1 who collected and summarized 15 case reports. Aside from the fact that recovery is complete after weeks or months, the syndrome meets the diagnostic requirements of true diabetes mellitus: hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and control with exogenous insulin. Ketonuria, however, is not the rule. These neonates are wasted although alert in appearance, and rapidly become dehydrated in spite of adequate food intake and the absence of vomiting and diarrhea.
The following cases are reported because of their unique familial relationship, the patients being paternal half sisters with a positive paternal family history of diabetes mellitus. These findings raised the question of possible genetic etiologic factors.
Report of Cases
Case 1.—A white female, was delivered spontaneously at Mississippi Baptist Hospital on July 15, 1966, after 32 weeks' gestation, according to the mother's menstrual history. A