21 November 2002
Alcohol induced ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycemia and irreversible encephalopathy.
Hitender Jain, Sushil Beriwal, Shailender SinghMed Sci Monit 2002; 8(11): CS77-79 :: ID: 4832
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Severe hypoglycemia leading to permanent brain damage is rare in non-diabetic population. We present one such case where chronic alcoholism combined with prolonged fasting lead to such a state and patient ended in a persistent vegetative state. CASE REPORT: A 50 year old Asian woman with past history of chronic alcoholism and hepatitis C was found unresponsive in her house after drinking alcohol consecutively for 2 days. Finger-stick glucose done by paramedics was <20 mg/dl. She was given 50 ml of 50% dextrose without any neurological response. On arrival in the emergency department patient was found to be comatose with only withdrawal response to deep painful stimuli and a negative babinski's sign. Computed tomogram of the head revealed mild cerebral atrophy. After an extensive work up a diagnosis of alcoholic ketoacidosis with hypoglycemia related encephalopathy was made. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol induced ketoacidosis is usually associated with normal blood glucose. The probable etiology of low blood sugar in our patient was alcohol-induced inhibition of gluconeogenesis along with starvation. The prolonged hypoglycemia caused cortical damage simulating ischemic brain damage. Ten months in to follow-up patient is still in persistent vegetative state with no noticeable neurological recovery.
Keywords: Acidosis - complications, Acidosis - etiology, Hypoglycemia - complications, Hypoglycemia - etiology, Ketosis - complications
Editorial
01 January 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Two Adjuvanted Malaria Vaccines and the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategy to Eradicate Malaria by 2030DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939357
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939357
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in 729 Medical Students in Indonesia During ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938892
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Determining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Care in the Serbian Adult Population: An Online Q...Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939238
27 December 2022 : Clinical Research
Effect of Physiotherapy to Correct Rounded Shoulder Posture in 30 Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in ...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e938926
10 December 2022 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study to Identify Risk Factors for Severe Disease and Mortality Using the Modified Early Warn...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e938647
In Press
20 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
A Study of 42 Partially Edentulous Patients with Single-Crown Restorations and Implants to Compare Bone Los...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939225
20 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Perfusate Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, Kidney Injury Molecular-1, Liver-Type Fatty Acid Bind...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938758
19 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Bakri Balloon for Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Real-World 2016-2020 Study in 279 Women from a Sing...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938823
19 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in 729 Medical Students in Indonesia During ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938892
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952