Starvation Ketoacidosis on the Acute Medical Take: An Easily Missed Complication of the Keto Diet

Abstract

Starvation ketoacidosis represents one of the three forms of metabolic acidosis caused by the accumulation of ketone bodies within the blood stream. It can be easily missed in patients who present acutely and are found to have an unexplained or profound metabolic acidosis. Here, we present a life-threatening case of severe ketoacidosis in a breast-feeding mother without diabetes who was on a strict ketogenic diet. Although a ketogenic diet has been previously considered to be safe in non-pregnant individuals, its safety in breast-feeding mothers in the post-partum period is less known and may be associated with greater harm. Health professionals and mothers should be aware of the potential risks associated with a strict ketogenic diet when combined with breast-feeding, especially in the earlier stages of the post-partum period. Prompt investigation, diagnosis and immediate management is vital to avoid life-threatening complications. We report a case admitted on the acute medical take with starvation ketoacidosis associated with ketogenic diet and adequate calorie consumption who was breast-feeding at the time of admission.

Learning points: Always check ketones in patients with an unexplained metabolic acidosis; there can be overlap between starvation, alcohol-related and lactic acidosis.Management of starvation ketoacidosis is often empirical, involving close monitoring of fluid status and electrolytes.Clinicians should discuss the risk of ketoacidosis associated with the ketogenic diet in women who plan to breast-feed and lose weight following pregnancy.

Keywords: Ketoacidosis; keto diet; weight-loss diet.

Figure 1

The trend in capillary glucose, capillary ketones, venous bicarbonate and pH over the first 24 hours of admission. Abbreviations: IV, intravenous; VRIII, variable rate intravenous insulin infusion.