Possible Causes of DeathOxygen Deprivation from low blood sugar
Head Trauma due to the fall
Diabetic Symptoms
Kidney Failure
Stroke
Keytoacedosis
Heart Attack
CAUSE OF DEATHKETOACIDOSISKetoacidosis is a potentially fatal complication of Type 1 Diabetes. When cells are unable to produce insulin and is unable to utilize glucose, the body begins to burn fatty acids in order to provide energy. When this happens, acidic ketones form and cause many symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration, gasping breathing, and confusion. Eventually, if untreated, and if severe enough, ketoacidosis could cause cerebral edema which can lead to death, as in the case of Anna Garcia
Age: 14 monthsSymptoms Displayed:
Shortness of Breath
Abdominal Pain
Due to splenic sequestration
High Urine Output
She was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia due to a low hematocrit and a positive Sickle Cell test.
Age: 14Symptoms
Fatigue
Thirst
Frequent Urination
She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes after a Glucose Tolerance Test and an Insulin Level Test.
Age: 37Anna was diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia as well as was declared a high risk candidate for Coronary Heart Disease.
Age: 38Symptoms
Frequent need to urinate
Increased heart rate
She was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection from the bacteria Serratia Marcescens.
Factors that Contributed to Anna’s Death
Cerebral Edema
High levels of Blood Ketones
High Blood Sugar Levels
Ketones present in urine
Severely low blood pH (6.95)
Vomit
Diseases/Risk FactorsDiabetes
Her Diabetes played a major role in her development of Ketoacidosis. Low insulin levels caused her body to burn fat instead of glucose, causing the formation of ketones.
Sickle Cell
Decreased blood flow to the brain due to sickle cell clots most likely lead to cerebral edema.
Coronary Heart Disease
Plaque build up due to high cholesterol could have also attributed to decreased blood flow to the brain resulting in cerebral edema.
UTI
Infections can lead to dehydration with people with ketoacidosis, which can lead to serious complications, such as cerebral edema.
Long Term PreventionHealthier Diet
Continuously treating her Diabetes (Insulin Injections)
Monitoring her Blood Sugar