Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome in the Pediatric Patient

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is a potentially deadly complication of diabetes mellitus that can often be the presenting symptom of the condition in the pediatric population. There is a danger that HHS may not be included in the differential of critical patients because it is still a somewhat rare entity in the pediatric population. However, recent data regarding population trends indicate that HHS will continue to appear more and more commonly in the pediatric population with diabetes. The following case describes an adolescent with many of the typical features of the pediatric patient with HHS as the presenting symptom of diabetes mellitus. The literature regarding HHS in children is still sparse, and much must be extrapolated from adult studies given its relatively recent increased incidence. Included is a brief review of the most recent data regarding epidemiology, treatment, and complications that would be pertinent to the pediatric emergency physician.