Nonketotic coma in insulin-dependenta diabetes.

Abstract

To the Editor:— Recently, Kolodny and Sherman described a case of Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Coma in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ( 203 :461, 1968), which is the first such case to be reported. It was postulated that the syndrome developed in their patient because of altered pituitary function following hypophysectomy. I should like to describe a case of the syndrome in an insulin-dependent diabetic; perhaps due to a change in insulin dosage. Report of a Case:— A 28-year-old man treated with insulin since age 8 was hospitalized in November 1966 because of hypoglycemia. He was discharged on 15 units of isophane insulin suspension daily. On Dec 1, 1966, his insulin dosage was decreased to 12 units daily. On Dec 5, the patient gradually sank into a comatose state and was admitted to Vanderbilt University Hospital. He was areflexic and had intermittent seizures involving the left side of the face and left hand. Urinalysis