Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a Misleading Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. It is characterized by a triad of increased total body ketone concentration, metabolic acidosis, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is a key diagnostic criterion of DKA; however, in some rare cases, normal glucose levels can be present.

We describe two patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1); one who presented with a Bartholin's gland abscess and the other with acute pancreatitis. Both patients had maintained adequate hydration and continued to take their insulin without sufficient carbohydrate intake in the previous days prior to presentation. Despite their normal serum glucose levels upon presentation, they were found to have ketonemia and acidosis consistent with DKA. If only the serum glucose level was taken into consideration, while ignoring the rest of their biochemical profiles and failing to obtain ketone levels, the diagnoses would have been missed.

Euglycemic DKA is usually seen in otherwise healthy patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who have decreased carbohydrate intake in the presence of adequate hydration and a degree of insulin intake. Recognition of this entity by the emergency provider is crucial when patients with DM1 present with a picture of DKA, regardless of their blood sugar.