[Abdominal pain in diabetic ketoacidosis: report of four cases]

Four cases of diabetic ketoacidosis presenting with abdominal pain are reported. Case 1: a 14-year-old boy suffered from sudden onset of mid-abdominal pain, then migrating to the right lower quadrant. Nausea and vomiting occurred subsequently. Appendectomy was performed under the impression of acute appendicitis in an outside surgical clinic. The patient became comatose the next day and then was transferred to our hospital. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed after the detection of hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and ketonuria on the day of admission. Unfortunately, he expired on the same day in spite of vigorous resuscitation. Case 2: a 9-year-old boy complained of abdominal pain for 10 days. There was no specific finding in the physical examination. Diabetic ketoacidosis was confirmed four days later when conscious disturbance, dehydration, and tachypnea were noticed. Case 3: a 10-year-old girl presented with a history of intermittent abdominal pain for one month. The character of the abdominal pain was nonspecific. Glycosuria was detected in a pediatric clinic. Diabetic ketoacidosis was confirmed after her referral to our hospital. Case 4: a 5-year-old girl suffered from acute abdominal pain for four hours. She was found to have tachypnea, lethargy, and ill-looking. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed after serial examinations. The abdominal pain in diabetic ketoacidosis may lead the pediatrician into diagnostic error. Therefore, when a child presented with non-specific abdominal pain, a routine urine sugar should be checked in order not to miss the possibility of diabetic ketoacidosis.