Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are serious and potentially life-threatening metabolic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). While DKA is a common hyperglycemic emergency with a low mortality rate, characterized by hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, HHS, on the other hand, is less common, characterized by hyperglycemia and hyperosmolality without ketoacidosis, but has a high mortality rate.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. DKA is one of the common complications of type-I diabetes mellitus (IDDM) associated with significant fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by the triad of [1, 2]:

If a facility to measure blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) concentration is available, it is a more precise and sensitive test to diagnose DKA [3].

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