A Case of Severe Lactation Ketoacidosis in a Nondiabetic Mother on a Ketogenic Diet.

Abstract

Lactation ketoacidosis is a rare yet severe metabolic emergency that has been reported in breastfeeding mothers. Reduced carbohydrate intake during breastfeeding has been reported as a common trigger for ketoacidosis. We report the case of a 31-year-old mother without diabetes who presented with life-threatening lactation ketoacidosis after following a ketogenic diet while exclusively breastfeeding her newborn baby. She was managed in the intensive care unit with dextrose and insulin infusion to reverse ketoacidosis. With prompt treatment, the patient's ketoacidosis resolved within 24 hours, and she was discharged well 3 days later. We further discuss the underlying increased metabolic demand in lactating women that puts them at risk of ketoacidosis, underlining the importance of early recognition of lactation ketoacidosis and nutritional education for lactating women.

• Authors: Marisa Khatijah Borhan, Shireene Ratna Vethakkan, Tharsini Sarvanandan, Sharmila Sunita Paramasivam
• Journal: JCEM case reports (JCEM Case Rep) Vol. 1 Issue 6 Pg. luad134 (Nov 2023) ISSN: 2755-1520 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37954835 (Publication Type: Case Reports)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.