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World J Transl Med. Jul 28, 2026; 12(2): 120867
Published online Jul 28, 2026. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.120867
Published online Jul 28, 2026. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.120867
Severe pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis with multi-organ dysfunction and complete recovery in a resource-limited setting: A case report
Anjumanara Omar, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 30197-00100, Kenya
Khulud Mahmood Nurani, Najib Mohamed Kadernani, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 30197-00100, Kenya
Prisca Amolo, Department of Paediatrics, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi 30197-00100, Kenya
Author contributions: Omar A and Amolo P managed the patient and collected clinical data; Nurani KM performed the literature review; Nurani KM and Kadernani NM drafted the manuscript and clinically revised it.
AI contribution statement: No artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation, writing, analysis, or revision of this manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s parent/Legal guardian for publication of this case report and accompanying clinical details.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Najib Mohamed Kadernani, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Hospital Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi 30197-00100, Kenya. najib.ayub14@gmail.com
Received: March 11, 2026
Revised: May 26, 2026
Accepted: July 10, 2026
Published online: July 28, 2026
Processing time: 140 Days and 13 Hours
Revised: May 26, 2026
Accepted: July 10, 2026
Published online: July 28, 2026
Processing time: 140 Days and 13 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children can progress rapidly to life-threatening multi-organ dysfunction. We describe a 12-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis, cerebral oedema, seizures, and haemodynamic instability during DKA. Despite cardiac arrest and prolonged intensive care, the patient achieved complete neurological and renal recovery through aggressive multidisciplinary management. This case highlights that early recognition of complications, timely critical care intervention, and coordinated specialty care can result in favourable outcomes even in severe paediatric DKA in resource-limited settings.