Mixed acid-base abnormalities in diabetes

This study is a description of a patient who exhibited diabetic ketosis associated with an alkalosis rather than acidosis and a review of eight previously reported cases. Precipitating factors for this syndrome are severe vomiting with loss of hydrogen, potassium, and chloride ions, and dehydration. The ingestion of alkali may also result in this mixed acid-base disturbance. Treatment consists primarily of replacement of potassium and chloride. All reported patients had received large doses of insulin for initial therapy; however, limited insulin (20 U) therapy in this patient almost completely reversed the metabolic abnormality with 12 hours.