WMJ. 2024;123(6):614-618.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: As the prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes continues to increase, hospitals have developed protocols for managing its many complications, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis. However, extremely early onset type 1 diabetes, defined as onset at age < 2 years old, remains a diagnostic challenge to the community clinician.
CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case report of a 19-month-old female thought to have acute on chronic constipation who presented to our pediatric emergency department and was subsequently found to be in diabetic ketoacidosis.
DISCUSSION: This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high suspicion for this potentially lethal disease presentation, as well as the variety of symptoms that can occur with it.
CONCLUSIONS: The limited communicative ability of the pediatric population often results in unclear or vague initial complaints at disease onset. This has led to a paucity of literature and knowledge surrounding the diagnosis of extremely early onset type 1 diabetes, making delayed diagnosis and its associated complications commonplace.
PMID:39908526
