Severe hypertriglyceridemia: a rare and harmful complication in diabetic ketoacidosis, treated successfully with plasmapharesis

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is highly prevalent in pediatric patients with both newly diagnosed and established diabetes. Hypertriglyceridemia is a rare, adverse complication. Case Report: A previously healthy 14 year old female presented to the emergency room with 3 days of headaches. Her initial vitals: blood pressure 130/94, heart rate 124 bpm, respiratory rate 23 breaths per minute, body mass index 21.3, and glascow coma scale (GCS) of 15. She was diagnosed with DKA with a blood glucose level of 539 mg/dL, bicarbonate level of 6 mMol/L, ketonuria and venous …