Subarachnoid and parenchymal haemorrhages as a complication of severe diabetic ketoacidosis in a preadolescent with new onset type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Children have a higher rate of neurological complications from DKA when compared to adults. The differential for sudden focal neurological deterioration in the setting of DKA is cerebral oedema followed by ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages can present with non-specific features frequently, for example, impaired consciousness, even when biochemical parameters are improving in the setting of DKA. We report the case of a girl with new onset T1D who presented in severe DKA and subsequently developed intracerebral parenchymal and subarachnoid haemorrhages. Our patient is unique in that no focal neurological or neuropsychological deficits have been found at 1-year follow up, compared to the literature which suggests poor outcomes. Our case contrasts with these previous cases as none of the other case reports demonstrated subarachnoid haemorrhages with survival.

Keywords: diabetic ketoacidosis; endocrinology; subarachnoid haemorrhage; type 1 diabetes mellitus.