Lipemic serum in a child with new onset diabetes mellitus presenting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis: A case report

Abstract

Abstract Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) presents as an acute emergency in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The mortality associated with DKA is more in developing countries and in children less than 5 years of age. Cerebral edema, sepsis, shock and renal failure are the identified causes for mortality. Severe hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis are less recognised causes for mortality in children with DKA. We report a 6-year-old female child who presented with lipemic serum due to severe hyperlipidemia associated with DKA. With adequate management of DKA as per the guidelines, hyperlipidemia also resolved and no further episodes were noted on follow up. Knowledge about this rare entity could help the clinicians regarding the prompt recognition, evaluation and management of hyperlipidemia and thus help in reduction of mortality associated with the same.