The obstacles of diagnosing and achieving glycaemic control in breastfeeding infant with type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic ketoacidosis- a case report

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is uncommon in infancy and its presentation can mimic some common childhood illnesses. The spontaneity of the young infant, inherent communication difficulties, insulin treatment and eating pattern poses major technical, medical and psychological challenges. Training the family to care for the diabetic infant is also challenging for all. We present a case of a 10-month old diabetic infant with poor glycaemic control and DKA. The justification for this is because DM with DKA is uncommon in infancy and its presentation may be mistaken for other illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis and cerebral malaria among others, so it needs a high index of suspicion in other to avoid morbidity and mortality. The objective of reporting this case is to create awareness that although DM is uncommon in infancy, but can still occur. It should therefore be looked for.

Keywords

• infant
• diabetic mellitus
• diabetic ketoacidosis