Abstract #1402115: A Case of Starvation Ketoacidosis in Pregnancy Secondary to Perforated Appendicitis

Abstract

Starvation ketoacidosis in pregnant patients is a rare but life-threatening condition. There are few case reports in the literature of starvation ketoacidosis of pregnancy with no consensus on treatment. We present a case of starvation ketoacidosis in pregnancy that was successfully treated with dextrose and insulin infusion. A 35-year-old pregnant woman with a history of prior gestational diabetes diagnosed in a previous but not current pregnancy presented at 33 weeks of gestation with severe abdominal and poor oral intake for 3 days prior to admission. On evaluation, the patient was found to have a perforated appendix with peritonitis and was taken to the operating room for open laparotomy. During surgery, she was noted to have an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Arterial blood gas revealed pH of 7.06 (range 7.35-7.45), pCO2 of 43mmHg (range 32-35 mmHg), pO2 of 120 mmHg (range 83-108 mmHg), and bicarbonate of 12 mmol/L (range 22-26 mmol/L). Further blood work demonstrated serum bicarbonate of 14 mmol/L (range 21-30 mmol/L), and an anion gap of 18 (4-16). Beta-hydroxybutyrate was elevated at 58.5 mg/dL (range 0-3 mg/dL), with serum glucose of 134 mg/dL (range 70-99 mg/dL) and normal lactate of 1.3 mmol/L (range 0.5-2.2 mmol/L). Urinalysis demonstrated 2+ ketones (range negative). She was started on a dextrose 5% infusion with insulin infusion at a fixed rate to overcome any inherent insulin resistance and suppress lipolysis. Metabolic parameters were corrected in 12 hours and the patient was extubated in 24 hours. At 48 hours, insulin and dextrose infusions were discontinued. She then underwent cesarian section 1.5 weeks later due to development of pelvic abscess requiring surgical intervention. She delivered a healthy baby girl. Women in late pregnancy are at increased risk for ketosis during even brief periods of fasting. This is due to increased relative insulin resistance and enhanced lipolysis, a protective mechanism to ensure adequate glucose supply to the growing fetus. Prompt recognition of ketosis and timely management are essential to prevent profound acidosis and avoid maternal-fetal mortality. Although there is no consensus on management of starvation ketoacidosis in pregnancy, most case reports suggest carbohydrate administration is the cornerstone of treatment, although insulin administration can be considered if there is concern for marginal insulin reserve or there is treatment failure with carbohydrate administration alone. In our case, given the profound degree of acidosis, simultaneous administration of carbohydrate and insulin was pursued with rapid resolution of the patient’s metabolic derangements.