Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Two Nigerian Adolescents with Homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia

In the tropics where the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is high, reports of concurrence of sickle cell anaemia and diabetes mellitus are rare with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), being rarer. In this case report, we present the cases of two Nigerian adolescents (one male and one female) with homozygous SCA who presented in DKA. Sickle cell anaemia was diagnosed eight and nine months respectively prior to their presentation with DKA. There was no history of previous multiple blood transfusions. Neither of the two cases had positive family history of diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis of DKA in each case was based on the presence of hyperglycaemia, ketonuria and acidosis. The families of these two patients were of low socio-economic status.
Conclusion: Although concurrent homozygous sickle cell anaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis is rare, it does occur in Nigerian children and adolescents.