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Published on: April 17, 2020
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Complicated by a Brain Death
Sohaip Kabashneh1, Zaynab Al-Sagri1, Samer Alkassis1
1Internal Medicine, Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, USA.
Abstract:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Cerebral edema (CE) can complicate DKA management. We report a patient with no significant medical history who presented with DKA and a new-onset DM; she received the standard management with regular insulin and IV fluids, the management resulted in a rapid drop in serum osmolality, the patient`s mental status deteriorated and became nonresponsive, brain imaging confirmed CE, a few days later the patient was declared brain dead by neurology. This case highlights the importance of gradual correction of hyperosmolar conditions including hyperglycemia and urges all healthcare providers to closely trend glucose levels in the management of DKA.
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