Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in a pregnant woman

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) carries serious risks for mortality and morbidity for both the mother and the baby, and it is essential to recognize it early and start immediate treatment.

We present a case of EDKA in a 28-week pregnant woman known to have type 1 diabetes. She was found to have severe acidosis with a blood sugar level of 10.6 mmol/L (190.8 mg/dL) and normal anion gap. She was found to have EDKA, which was confirmed later with a depressed venous pH and bicarbonate level and an increased serum ketone level. The patient's acidosis was not improving significantly with 0.05 units/kg/h of insulin infusion, so a full dose of 0.1 unit/kg/h of insulin infusion was started following a full diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol regardless of her blood sugar level. The patient showed gradual improvement and was discharged home after 4 days, with follow-up with endocrinology and obstetrics.

In conclusion, EDKA is a critical complication of diabetes, especially in pregnant women. Therefore, it is crucial to treat it early and potentially consider following a full DKA protocol using 0.1 unit/kg/h insulin infusion instead of 0.05 unit/kg/h.