Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy caused by hypophosphataemia during diabetic ketoacidosis treatment: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Hypophosphatemia has many causes, and is often encountered during DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) treatment. However, it rarely requires clinical intervention. Case presentation Ventricular arrhythmia was observed in a 10-year-old girl with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus and hypophosphatemia while undergoing treatment for ketoacidosis. Oral phosphate supplementation ceased ventricular arrhythmia almost completely. Conclusions The clinical signs of hypophosphatemia are potentially life-threatening. Therefore, physicians should be vigilant when treating patients who are at risk of hypophosphatemia. Severe hypophosphatemia accompanied by clinical symptoms requires oral or intravenous supplementation of phosphate.

Keywords

• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Hypophosphatemia
• Ventricular arrhythmia
• Case report