Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Ketoacidosis as a primary manifestation of COVID-19
Majidreza Akbarizadeh1, Mahin Naderifar1, Parisa Ghanizadegan1
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
Insights
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children can present with nonspecific symptoms, mimicking other syndromes. This case highlights a pediatric COVID-19 infection presenting with DKA, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a critical metabolic emergency in children.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has seen children present with nonspecific symptoms, complicating diagnoses.
- Recognizing atypical presentations is crucial for timely intervention.
Observation:
- An 18-month-old child presented with fever and diarrhea, unresponsive to outpatient care.
- The child exhibited deep, abdominal breathing and decreased consciousness, with admission blood sugar of 420 mg/dl.
- Initial diagnosis was DKA, confirmed by a positive COVID-19 PCR test.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a pediatric COVID-19 infection manifesting as diabetic ketoacidosis.
- The nonspecific symptoms of COVID-19 can mask serious underlying conditions.
- Early recognition of DKA symptoms in children during the pandemic is vital.
Implications:
- Pediatricians and general practitioners must maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19 in children with DKA symptoms.
- Close patient monitoring and follow-up are essential, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Considering COVID-19 as a potential trigger for DKA in children is recommended during the ongoing pandemic.
Introduction:
Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most important metabolic emergency in children. Children mimic many syndromes with a combination of nonspecific symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many syndromes are triggered by changes in children's body conditions. Reporting specific cases can improve the diagnosis process. The present study reports an 18-month-old paediatric case of COVID-19 who presented ketoacidosis (DKA) symptoms.
Case Presentation:
The case is an 18-month-old child with fever and diarrhoea from 3 days before, who did not respond to outpatient treatment. On the day of the visit, he suffered from deep and abdominal breathing and decreased level of consciousness and sugar levels at admission of 420 mg/dl. He was then admitted with the initial diagnosis of DKA and had a positive PCR test result for COVID-19.
Conclusions:
Considering the non-specific symptoms of COVID-19, general practitioners and paediatricians are recommended that special attention be paid to these symptoms, especially those that are similar to life-threatening syndromes. They also should not easily ignore these symptoms and follow up patients and their recovery status and, if patients do not recover, consider the risk of COVID-19 given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis
First, the pH level is assessed to determine whether the blood pH is normal (7.35–7.45), low (acidosis), or high (alkalosis).
Next, the PCO2 and...
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

