Severe Hypertriglyceridaemia with Acute Kidney Injury in Paediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Severe hypertriglyceridaemia is an uncommon but clinically significant complication of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). We report a 14-year-old female with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes mellitus who presented with features of DKA complicated by severe hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperviscosity-related neurological impairment and acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis. Markedly lipaemic plasma observed during exchange blood transfusion prompted lipid evaluation, which revealed significantly elevated plasma triglyceride levels. The clinical management included insulin infusion, haemodialysis, exchange blood transfusion, and supportive care, resulting in a favourable clinical outcome. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and management of hypertriglyceridaemia in DKA, particularly in resource-limited settings.