Hypophosphatemia, A Silent Killer in Diabetic Ketoacidosis Patients

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketone. Without enough insulin, your body begins to break down fat as fuel. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones, eventually leading to diabetic ketoacidosis if untreated. Although hypophosphatemia is common in DKA, it is rarely very severe leading to the complications. Hypophosphatemia leading to rhabdomyolysis in DKA has been reported by various authors with or without significant renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy [1].