Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome at the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in an adolescent male

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is rare in the paediatric population. The diagnosis and management of HHS presents a challenge in paediatric patients who may present with a mixed picture of HHS and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).A 15-year-old obese African American male was brought to the emergency department following a two-day history of feeling unwell. The patient was obtunded, hypotensive and tachypneic. Initial investigations revealed the following: pH 6.97 (normal 7.35 to 7.41), HCO(3) (-) 5 mEq/L (normal 20 mEq/L to 25 mEq/L), glucose 90.9 mmol/L (normal 3.4 mmol/L to 6.3 mmol/L), serum osmolality 454 mOsm/kg (normal 275 mOsm/kg to 295 mOsm/kg), Na(+) 141 mEq/L (normal 135 mEq/L to 145 mEq/L), corrected Na(+) 165 mEq/L, K(+) 8.4 mEq/L (normal 3.5 mEq/L to 5.0 mEq/L), urinalysis revealed 1+ ketones and 4+ glucose. The patient's clinical course was complicated by severe hyperkalemia, acute renal failure, refractory status epilepticus, rhabdomyolysis, pancreatitis and hypertension.The present case emphasizes the complexity of managing patients with a mixed DKA/HHS presentation and associated morbidities. It is very important to disseminate and implement screening guidelines for type 2 diabetes mellitus, so as to prevent this potentially devastating complication.