A severe pediatric life-threatening metabolic ketoacidosis

This case report presents a 9-year-old child without underlying pathology, with a severe life-threatening non-diabetic metabolic ketoacidosis occurring less than 48 h after the onset of fasting and vomiting. The patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. He received volume expansion and maintenance fluid therapy which allowed a favorable evolution. Because of the unusual rapid onset of intense ketonemia and acidosis, a hereditary metabolic disease was investigated. The association between short fasting period and severe metabolic ketoacidosis has never been described in children outside of the neonatal period. This clinical case emphasizes urgent recognition, rigorous diagnostic and appropriate management in clinical practice.