Severe Hypernatremia and Hyperosmolality Exacerbated by an Herbal Preparation in a Patient With Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Abstract

This article reports a case of severe reversible hypernatremia exacerbated by an herbal agent “goldenseal” (Hydrastis canadensis) in an 11-year-old girl with new onset type I diabetes mellitus presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. A literature review is presented and possible mechanism of hypernatremia caused by this herbal preparation is discussed.

Keywords

diabetic ketoacidosis hypernatremia hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state glutamic acid decarboxylase islet cell antibody

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