Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are common acute complications of diabetes mellitus with a high risk of mortality. When combined with hypernatremia, the complications can be even worse. Hypernatremia is a rarely associated with DKA and HHS as both are usually accompanied by normal sodium or hyponatremia. As a result, a structured and systematic treatment approach is critical. We discuss the therapeutic approach and implications of this uncommon presentation.

A 62-year-old man with no known past medical history presented to emergency department with altered mental status. Initial work up in emergency room showed severe hyperglycemia with a glucose level of 1093 mg/dL and severe hypernatremia with a serum sodium level of 169 mEq/L. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was started on insulin drip as per DKA protocol. Within 12 h of ICU admission, blood sugar was 300 mg/dL. But his mental status didn’t show much improvement. He was dehydrated and had a corrected serum sodium level of > 190 mEq/L. As a result, dextrose 5% in water and ringer's lactate were started. He was also given free water via an nasogastric (NG) tube and IV Desmopressin to improve his free water deficit, which improved his serum sodium to 140 mEq/L.

The combination of DKA, HHS and hypernatremia is rare and extremely challenging to manage, but the most challenging part of this condition is selecting the correct type of fluids to treat these conditions. Our case illustrates that desmopressin and free water administration via the NG route can be helpful in this situation.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
• Hypernatremia
• Hyperglycemia
• Desmopressin
• Case repot

Clinical research shows that frequent measurements of both pH and lactate can help guide therapy and improve patient outcome. However, current methods of sampling blood pH and lactate make it impractical to take readings frequently (due to the heightened risk of blood infection and anemia). As a solution, we have engineered a subcutaneous pH and lactate sensor (PALS) that can provide continuous, physiologically relevant measurements. To measure pH, a sheet containing a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye is placed over 400 and 465 nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a filter-coated photodetector. The filter-coated photodetector collects an emitted signal from the dye for each LED excitation, and the ratio of the emitted signals is used to monitor pH. To measure lactate, two sensing sheets comprising an oxygen-sensitive phosphorescent dye are each mounted to a 625 nm LED. One sheet additionally comprises the enzyme lactate oxidase. The LEDs are sequentially modulated to excite the sensing sheets, and their phase shift at the LED drive frequency is used to monitor lactate. In vitro results indicate that PALS successfully records pH changes from 6.92 to 7.70, allowing for discrimination between acidosis and alkalosis, and can track lactate levels up to 9 mM. Both sensing strategies exhibit fast rise times (< 5 min) and stable measurements. Multianalyte in vitro models of physiological disorders show that the sensor measurements consistently quantify the expected pathophysiological trends without cross talk; in vivo rabbit testing further indicates usefulness in the clinical setting.

• continuous monitoring
• critical care monitoring
• lactate sensor
• multianalyte
• pH sensor
• photonic

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) commonly presents with hyponatremia, but hypernatremia is a rare case. We report two cases of hypernatremia, a 54-year-old woman (case 1) admitted with altered sensorium with blood glucose unrecordably high, serum sodium 134 mmol/L and an 18-year-old girl (case 2) admitted with reduced levels of consciousness, a random blood sugar of 21.2 mmol/L and serum sodium of 121 mmol/L. Case 1 was hydrated with isotonic saline and serum sodium values then escalated to 154 mmol/L on day 2, reaching 166 mmol/L on day 4. Case 2 was hydrated with isotonic saline and also given hypertonic saline for treatment of hyponatremia, and the sodium levels for this patient rose to 153 mmol/L on day 2 reaching a maximum of 176 mmol/L on day 3. On day 2, both patients were switched to half strength Darrow’s for correction of the hypernatremia along with insulin therapy. The patients recovered fully and were discharged without any sequelae. These reports exhibit a learning point in the choice of intravenous fluids for the treatment of DKA. They also show the need to delay the correction of hyponatremia in patients with high blood glucose levels.

• diabetes
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• half strength Darrow’s solution
• hyperglycemia
• hypernatremia