Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic crisis: an acute life-threatening event in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the initial clinical manifestations and management of 8 obese African American children and adolescents who presented with a severe hyper-osmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), except for one who most likely had type 1 DM.


METHODS
We summarize the clinical presentation, pertinent laboratory values, management, complications, outcome, and follow-up of 8 obese pediatric patients who had HHS and alteration of mental function.


RESULTS
Seven male and one female African American patients from 11 to 17 years of age with a body mass index that exceeded the 97th percentile were treated for HHS. All patients had alteration of mental status, ranging from confusion to coma. Five patients had venous CO(2) levels <14 mEq/L. Corrected sodium in all patients was in the hypernatremic range in conjunction with high effective serum osmolality. After fluid replacement (the most important aspect of treatment), intravenous insulin therapy was initiated. Metabolic control was achieved in all patients within 36 hours after admission. Complete recovery ensued in all patients except one, who died on the sixth day of hospitalization, possibly attributable to massive pulmonary embolism.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of obesity and type 2 DM in children and adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate. Many patients previously undiagnosed with type 2 DM may indeed present with HHS. Because experience and published literature regarding HHS in pediatric patients are meager, this is a new challenge for physicians. Mortality and morbidity are high in this group of patients, and a high index of suspicion and awareness of this condition by physicians are warranted.
Bhowmick
Samar K
SK
Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36617-2297, USA.
Levens
Kara L
KL
Rettig
Kenneth R
KR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006944:Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology