Insulin analogues, developed by molecular engineering, have structural changes in the A and B insulin chains. These modifications change their action profile, rendering insulin replacement closer to physiology. Rapid acting analogues like lispro, aspart and glulisine, are absorbed rapidly from the subcutaneous tissue to the circulation. In addition, two long acting insulin analogues have been developed: glargine and detemir. The combination of a long acting insulin, to maintain baseline levels, and multiple daily doses of a rapid acting analogue are the mainstay of basal-bolus therapy. Multiples studies have compared human insulin (NPH and regular) with insulin analogues in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, showing an improvement in the metabolic control, fewer hypoglycemic events and better quality of life. In summary, insulin analogues offer new therapeutic options and allow an individualized intensive treatment.

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Hyperthyroidism and Down Syndrome: a present diagnosis A female patient with Down Syndrome and without cardiac defects. During infancy, she had low weight increment secondary to repeated hospital admissions due to obstructive respiratory tract episodes. In addition, she attends regularly to the gastroenterology clinic due to intermittent diarrhea. At the age of 9.4 years-old, she presented liquid stools 5-6 times/day, associated to a decrease of 7 kg in 5 months and marked hyperactivity. She is admitted with tachycardia, arterial hypertension and high liver enzymes (SGOT = 63 U/l and SGPT = 97U/l). The ECG showed sinus tachycardia. She is discharged without etiological diagnosis. In the mean time, annual thyroid function requested for endocrinology control showed TSH < 0,1 uUI/ml, T3 = 482 ng/dl and total T4 = 15,4 ug/dl, evidencing clear hyperthyroidism and beginning therapy with propylthiouracil 10 mg/kg/day and propanolol 1,3 mg/kg/day. After 3 weeks, the patient showed less hyperactivity, normal stools, normal sleep-awake cycle and recovered weight. By 6 weeks, thyroid hormones and transaminases were within normal ranges.