New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in a Child With Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Severe Hypertriglyceridemia Without Pancreatitis

Abstract

Hypertriglyceridemia is a complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) secondary to insulin deficiency inhibiting lipoprotein lipase and increasing lipolysis, but it is rare in children. A 7-year-old boy with history of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and “heavy breathing.” Initial laboratory tests revealed pH 6.87 and glucose 385 mg/dL (21.4 mmol/L), consistent with new-onset diabetes and DKA. His blood appeared lipemic; triglycerides were 17 675 mg/dL (199.6 mmol/L) with normal lipase (10 units/L). He received intravenous insulin and DKA resolved within 24 hours. Insulin infusion continued through day 6 for management of hypertriglyceridemia; triglycerides decreased to 1290 mg/dL (14.6 mmol/L) during this period. He never developed pancreatitis (lipase peaked at 68 units/L) or required plasmapheresis. With his ASD history, he had a restrictive diet high in saturated fat, which included up to 30 breakfast sausages daily. His triglycerides normalized after discharge. Severe hypertriglyceridemia can complicate DKA in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). Hypertriglyceridemia can be safely managed with insulin infusion in the absence of end-organ dysfunction. This complication should be considered in patients with DKA at diagnosis of T1D.