Cerebral infarction associated with transient visual loss in child with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a metabolic disorder caused by insulin deficiency and is the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Acute neurological complications related to diabetic ketoacidosis include cerebral oedema, cerebral infarction, brain herniation, cortical venous thrombosis and cerebral haemorrhage. Cerebral infarction is rare in juvenile diabetic ketoacidosis.

CASE REPORT: We report a girl with a newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes mellitus who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and developed cerebral infarction with transient visual loss.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the importance of prompt evaluation and proper management of intracranial crises in diabetic ketoacidosis.