Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state as the first manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in an adolescent male: a case report

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Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022;27(1):69-72

Publication date (electronic) : 2021 October 18

doi : https://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2142002.001

Sang Hoon Chun, Hae Sang Lee, Jin Soon Hwang

Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

Address for correspondence: Hae Sang Lee Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Wonchon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 16499, Korea Email: seaon98@ajou.ac.kr

Received 2020 December 14; Revised 2021 March 31; Accepted 2021 June 30.

Abstract

Highlights

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for HHS management. Pediatric endocrinologists should consider HHS as differential diagnosis in hyperglycemic crisis in children and adolescents.

Introduction

Acute hyperglycemic crises, including a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), are severe metabolic complications occurring in patients with diabetes [1]. HHS is characterized by severe hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity without evidence of severe ketosis or acidosis. Due to the similarity of clinical features between DKA and HHS, including fatigue, malaise, polyuria, nausea, and changes in consciousness, distinguishing between these 2 conditions based on patient medical history alone is challenging. However, their diagnostic criteria differ from one another [2]. The biochemical criteria for the diagnosis of DKA (Table 1) include hyperglycemia (blood glucose > 200 mg/dL), a venous pH of <7.3, or a serum bicarbonate concentration of <15 mmol/L with ketonemia or ketonuria. The criteria for HHS include hyperglycemia (blood glucose > 600 mg/dL), an arterial pH of >7.30, a venous pH of >7.25, a serum bicarbonate concentration of >15 mmol/L, small ketonuria, small (or absent) ketonemia, effective serum osmolarity of >320 mOsm/kg, obtundation, combativeness, or seizures (in approximately 50% of cases).

Table 1.

Differential diagnosis and treatment of DKA and HHS

HHS is mainly diagnosed in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has a higher mortality rate (10%– 50%) compared to that for DKA [2]. Although HHS is rarely the first presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), there have been several reports of its occurrence in T1DM [3-6]. However, HHS rarely occurs in children and adolescents with T1DM, and early diagnosis and proper treatment are important because of its high mortality rate [7]. Here, we report the case of a 17-year-old adolescent male patient with T1DM who presented with HHS. Furthermore, we briefly reviewed the most recent pediatric cases of HHS in T1DM patients.

Case Report

A 17-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department with severe polydipsia and lethargy. He had a 7-day history of anorexia and a 3-day history of polyuria and polydipsia. His weight had decreased from 55 kg to 44 kg in the past month. He was previously healthy and had no past admissions or serious illnesses. There was no personal or family history of endocrine diseases, including diabetes mellitus.

On admission, the patient's height was 173.2 cm, which was a 0.15 standard deviation score (SDS) based on the Korean normal reference. His weight was 43.6 kg (-3.13 SDS) and his body mass index was 14.57 kg/m 2 (-3.43 SDS) [8]. His temperature was 37.0℃, heart rate was 96 bpm, respiratory rate was 22 breaths/min, and blood pressure was 118/70 mmHg, respectively. A physical examination revealed mild drowsiness (Glasgow Coma Scale score, 13 points) but intact sensation and normal motor strength.

Initial laboratory data on admission revealed a serum glucose level of 1,456 mg/dL, serum osmolarity of 359 mOsm/kg (effective osmolarity, 323 mOsm/kg), serum urea nitrogen level of 67.9 mg/dL, and creatinine level of 2.93 mg/dL. In addition, his initial serum sodium level was 143 mmol/L, with a corrected sodium level of 156.6 mmol/L (Table 2). Venous blood gas analysis revealed a pH of 7.327, base excess of -7.65, and serum bicarbonate level of 16.4 mmol/L. Urine analysis revealed a glucose level of 3+, with a 1+ result for ketones.

Table 2.

Laboratory results of the case

The patient was diagnosed with HHS due to T1DM and was admitted to the intensive care unit. He was managed with cautious fluid replacement for an estimated 20% deficit over 72 hours with a 500-mL 0.9% normal saline bolus for 1 hour to correct his circulating volume. After normal saline loading, we began intravenous insulin infusion (regular insulin, 0.1 U/kg/hr), which was reduced to 0.025 U/kg/hr within 4 hours after confirmation of the diagnosis of HHS. The recommended dosage of continuous insulin in HHS is 0.025–0.05 units/kg/hr compared to that of 0.1 unit/kg/hr used in DKA. In addition, since our patient had neurological symptoms, including headache and drowsiness, mannitol was administered intravenously owing to the possibility of cerebral edema. After 34 hours of fluid administration, the patient's mental status became alert and his headache had subsided. Moreover, his serum glucose and corrected sodium levels had gradually improved (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Time course of laboratory findings from hospital admission to 60 hours. DW, dextrose water; NS, normal saline.

Finally, laboratory results confirmed T1DM. The patient’s glycated hemoglobin level was 10.2% (reference, <5.6%) and his serum C-peptide level was 0.11 ng/mL (reference, 1.06–3.53 ng/mL). Additionally, his antiglutamic acid antibody level was 8.09 U/mL (reference, 4.9 U/mL), his insulin antibody level was 5.6%(reference, 7.0%), and he was negative for islet cell antibodies. His 24-hr urine C-peptide rate was 0.42 μg/day (reference, 17.2–181.0 mg/day). The patient and his family members were educated on intensive insulin therapy and carbohydrate counting. The patient's blood glucose levels were controlled with intensive insulin therapy (regular insulin, 0.1 U/kg/hr) and carbohydrate counting (0.8 U/kg/day). He was discharged without any neurological complications 6 days after admission.

Discussion

HHS is a life-threatening endocrine emergency that most commonly affects adults with T2DM [7]. The incidence of HHS in pediatric patients is unclear but is estimated to account for <1% of hospital admissions in patients with diabetes [1]. Rosenbloom [9] reviewed 97 published cases of HHS in children and adolescents from 1966–2008, finding that 33 had been diagnosed with T1DM. In addition, Agrawal et al. [10] reported HHS at first presentation in 2 pediatric patients with T1DM among 411 hyperglycemic emergencies. Very rarely, cases of mixed HHS and DKA in T1DM patients have been reported. For HHS, the rate of fluid and electrolyte administration exceeds that required for the typical case of DKA to maintain an adequate circulatory volume [10].

Hyperglycemia in patients with DKA leads to osmotic diuresis and electrolyte imbalance due to increased glucose production by the liver and kidneys and peripheral glucose utilization disorders. Ketonemia and metabolic acidosis result from increased lipolysis and increased ketoacid production [1]. Both DKA and HHS result from a deficiency of circulating insulin and increased levels of the counter-regulatory hormones catecholamines, glucagon, cortisol, and growth hormone. HHS is characterized by extreme elevations in serum glucose concentrations and hyperosmolarity without significant ketosis. Higher hepatic and circulating insulin concentrations with relatively lower glucagon are present in patients with HHS compared to those with DKA. The higher circulating insulin/glucagon ratio in patients with HHS prevents ketogenesis and the development of ketoacidosis [11].

It is important to understand the differences between the treatments available for DKA and HHS. Prompt diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to prevent serious complications of HHS. The treatment goal in HHS is to expand intravascular and extravascular volumes and restore normal kidney perfusion. The rate of fluid treatment in HHS is faster than that recommended for DKA. In addition, isotonic fluid is more effective in maintaining the circulating volume. Unlike DKA, hypernatremia can occur in HHS patients. Mortality is mostly associated with a failure to reduce the corrected serum sodium concentration, which can be an indication for dialysis in some cases. The corrected sodium concentration was frequently measured in this case to monitor its gradual decrease. There are no data that suggest the appropriate speed for adjusting serum sodium concentration; however, a dose of 0.5 mmol/L/hr is recommended for hypernatremic dehydration [11]. In our case, hypernatremia was detected during initial laboratory testing. If hypernatremia occurs with severe hyperglycemia, clinicians should consider the possibility of HHS and more attention should be paid to fluid treatment.

Continuous insulin therapy may not be required for the treatment of HHS; however, insulin therapy can be considered when serum glucose levels do not decline adequately with fluid hydration alone or in children with significant ketosis and acidosis. The recommended dosage of continuous insulin in HHS is 0.025–0.05 units/kg/hr compared to that of 0.1 units/kg/hr generally used in DKA; a dose reduction should be considered if the serum glucose concentration decreases below 50–75 mg/dL/hr [2].

The reported mortality rate of HHS is 50%–60%, with a recent cohort study reporting a 30-day mortality rate of 16% [12]. Therefore, clinicians should consider a diagnosis of HHS in children and adolescents experiencing hyperglycemic emergencies. In addition, cautious therapy, such as hydration and insulin supplementation, is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality rates in HHS.

In conclusion, we reported a case of HHS with hypernatremia in T1DM in an adolescent patient who was initially suspected to have DKA. Our patient was diagnosed with T1DM that evolved into HHS with hypernatremia. We initially considered DKA instead of HHS, given its prevalence in pediatric patients, but our patient's diagnosis was later confirmed to be HHS based on his serum glucose level, hyperosmolarity, and hypernatremia. The occurrence of HHS in T1DM is very rare; however, the morbidity and mortality rates due to HHS are approximately 10 times higher than those seen with DKA [13].

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