Peritoneal dialysis in an infant with Type 1 diabetes and hyperosmolar coma

Hyperosmolar coma which is characterized by severe hyperglycemia in absence of chetosis is very rare in pediatric age with only 11 cases reported in the literature. The outcome of the condition is usually poor with mental retardation being the most common event. Here a case of hyperosmolar coma is described in a female of three months of age who was treated with peritoneal dialysis 11 hours after admittance to hospital. This female patient has been receiving insulin from three months of age and today at the age of 10 years she leads a normal life despite being on insulin therapy. A very low level of C-peptide (<0.3 ng/ml) clearly confirms she is affected by Type 1 diabetes. To our knowledge this is the first case report of hyperosmolar coma in a neonate with Type 1. diabetes who survived this condition without late neurological consequences. (C)2001. Editrice Kurtis.