Awareness of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis during pregnancy prevents recurrence of devastating outcomes: a case report of two pregnancies in one patient

Stillbirth in women with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus-still a current topic

PURPOSE

Compared to the general stillbirth rate in Germany for term deliveries of 0.12% the risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus is reported to be up to ten times higher. The reasons for this excess risk of intrauterine demise are still not fully elucidated. Risk factors named in the literature include poor glycemic control before and during pregnancy and the occurrence of ketoacidosis. Additionally there might be a diabetes related type of placental dysfunction leading to organ failure in late pregnancy. Understanding the underlying causes is mandatory to develop strategies to reduce the incidences. The Purpose of this publication is to point out the difficulties in prediction of intrauterine death in pregnant type 1 diabetes patients and thus emphasizing the necessity of constant awareness to all caregivers.

METHODS

We present a case series of four cases of stillbirth that occurred in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at our tertiary care obstetric unit during a five-year period.

RESULTS

In all four presented cases the underlying cause of intrauterine demise was different and we could not find a common mechanism or risk profile. Furthermore, established monitoring tools did not become peculiar to raise awareness. We compared our cases to published data. Underlying causes of intrauterine death in type 1 diabetes are discussed in the light of the current literature.

CONCLUSIONS

The main risk factors of stillbirth in diabetic pregnancies are high maternal blood glucose levels including pre-conceptional HbA1c and diabetic ketoacidosis. Late acute placental insufficiency are associated with intrauterine death in type 1 diabetes. Despite the elevated risk of near term intrauterine demise there are currently no guidelines on how to monitor pregnancies in type 1 diabetes for fetal distress during the third trimester. Established thresholds for fetal Doppler data indicating fetal distress in normal and growth restricted fetuses may not be applicable for overgrown fetuses. Future research on how to monitor the diabetic fetus needs to be initiated.

Anaesthetic Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in a Cesarean Section: A Case Report

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus that poses unique challenges during pregnancy. We present a case of a 36-year-old pregnant woman with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed severe DKA at 33.5 weeks of gestation, necessitating an emergency cesarean section. Despite a known history of diabetes, the patient's infrequent clinic attendance and suboptimal disease management contributed to her critical condition. DKA was promptly diagnosed, and a multidisciplinary team comprising obstetricians, endocrinologists, anesthesiologists, and neonatologists collaborated to provide comprehensive care. The preoperative assessment revealed dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, necessitating meticulous planning for IV fluid administration and hemodynamic stability during the cesarean section. Regional anaesthesia was chosen as the anaesthetic approach, and close postoperative monitoring was initiated. The neonate, delivered with satisfactory Apgar scores, was transferred to the neonatal ICU for observation. The patient's gradual clinical improvement over 48 hours demonstrated the importance of ongoing care. This case highlights the significance of early recognition, multidisciplinary teamwork, and meticulous perioperative care in managing DKA during pregnancy, ensuring favourable outcomes for both the mother and the neonate.

Case Series of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Late Pregnancy with Normal Glucose Tolerance

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is rare in pregnancy, especially in pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance examined in early pregnancy. Once DKA occurs in pregnancy, the disease progresses rapidly and can be life-threatening for both mother and fetus. We concluded three cases of DKA in late pregnancy. The clinical manifestations, progression, and prognosis of the three cases are different, but all of the cases have normal glucose tolerance. We summarized the characteristics of pregnant women with DKA and analyzed and discussed them in conjunction with literature for reference by clinical doctors.

Diabetic ketoacidosis in pregnancy

The clinical presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) includes nausea, vomiting, thirst, polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal pain, tachypnoea, and change in mental status in cases of severe DKA. DKA is similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women, but in pregnant women it can be seen at lower serum glucose levels and symptoms may develop more rapidly. Most, but not all, cases occur in the second or third trimester.DKA results in reduction in uteroplacental blood flow due to osmotic diuresis, and also in metabolic abnormalities (maternal acidosis, hyperglycaemia, electrolyte imbalance), resulting in fetal hypoxaemia and acidosis. In fetuses with mature cardiac activity, the fetal heart rate may show minimal or absent variability, repetitive deceleration and absence of acceleration. These abnormalities in heart rate usually resolve with resolution of the DKA, which may last for several hours before normalisation.For the patient reported on here, immediate delivery based on pathological fetal heart rate would have resulted in preterm delivery and jeopardised the maternal clinical condition. However, a holistic clinical approach by the multidisciplinary team to management of the patient led to normal term delivery 5 weeks after presentation with DKA; fetal and maternal outcome were good.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Pregnant Woman With Severe COVID-19: A Case Report

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) of pregnancy is an uncommon but serious condition that poses a substantial risk to the fetus. The physiological state of pregnancy itself predisposes women to ketosis and ketoacidosis, which can be further exacerbated by acute stressors such as infection. In this article, we describe a case of a pregnant woman with gestational diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring mechanical ventilation who developed euglycemic DKA during her hospital course. Despite treating the patient with standard DKA protocol, fetal heart monitoring was non-reassuring and, hence, a cesarean section was performed. Postoperatively, her DKA resolved; however, she was maintained on supportive ventilation for continued management of her severe COVID-19 infection. In light of the ongoing pandemic, it is essential that healthcare teams closely monitor pregnant women presenting with COVID-19 infection for early signs of euglycemic DKA so that treatment may be initiated early and feto-maternal complications are avoided.