She presented with nonbilious, nonbloody emesis. On physical exam, she was found to be tachycardic, with diffuse tenderness of the abdomen. She was positive for ketones and had an elevated acetone level and elevated osmolar gap, the difference between the measured and calculated solutes in the serum.
Clinicians identified that low carbohydrate intake, high fat intake, and a high metabolic state, such as that brought on by breastfeeding, can contribute to ketoacidosis. She was treated with IV glucose-containing fluids, bicarbonate, fomepizole, and thiamine.
The case shows that patients should be warned about ketoacidosis risk when they start an ultra-low carbohydrate diet, especially if they are breastfeeding or lactating, Dr. Hudson said.
“Usually they’re safe, but they may not be if you’re in a high metabolic state,” he told judges.
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