Diabetic ketoacidosis following steroid treatment in a patient with gestational diabetes mellitus

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a well recognised complication of pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes and is associated with increased risk of fetal death. It has rarely been documented in women with gestational diabetes. We report a case of diabetic ketoacidosis in a woman with gestational diabetes following steroid treatment. The relatively mild hyperglycaemia of 11.1mmol/L led to delay in diagnosis and treatment of ketoacidosis. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis if given steroid therapy antenatally and should be monitored closely for this. This case highlights how, during pregnancy, diabetic ketoacidosis may occur with only mild hyperglycaemia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.