Pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis as type 1 diabetes debut with concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report

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Laura Valenzuela-Vallejo1,2, Sofía A López-Ramírez1,3, Verónica Morales-Burton3,4

  • 1School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
|May 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a 13-year-old boy whose initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) coincided with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient recovered with standard T1D and COVID-19 management.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
  • Emerging evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 may precipitate DKA in susceptible individuals.
  • Limited data exist on SARS-CoV-2 infected patients presenting with DKA as new-onset T1D.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old male presented with DKA and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 via RT-PCR.
  • The patient experienced mild COVID-19 symptoms and was managed with fluid resuscitation and insulin infusion.
  • No significant complications arose during the acute infection phase.

Findings:

  • The patient's DKA and SARS-CoV-2 infection were successfully managed concurrently.
  • Clinical and biochemical improvements enabled outpatient follow-up with insulin therapy and continuous glucose monitoring.
  • This represents the first reported case of DKA as the debut of T1D in a Colombian pediatric patient with concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Implications:

  • This case contributes valuable data to the understanding of SARS-CoV-2's potential role in T1D onset.
  • It highlights the importance of considering SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric DKA presentations.
  • The report informs the clinical approach to managing concomitant DKA and COVID-19 in children.

Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2diabetes mellitusdiabetic ketoacidosistype 1

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