SUN-276 Acute Pancreatitis and Diabetic Ketoacidosis in an 8-Year-Old Following Induction Therapy for Pre-B Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Introduction Peg-Asparaginase and Dexamethasone are both used in the induction therapy for pre-B Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and have overlapping adverse effects. Peg-Asparaginase is an enzyme that causes depletion of asparagine which is an essential amino acid for leukemia cells. Dexamethasone is a long-acting glucocorticoid with a 30-fold increase in anti-inflammatory activity relative to Hydrocortisone. Hyperglycemia and acute pancreatitis are both adverse reactions of Peg-asparaginase and glucocorticoids. Clinical case An 8-year-old male with obesity presented with acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) following induction therapy for pre-B ALL. The patient was euglycemic at the time of diagnosis. On day 1 induction chemotherapy was administered which included IV vincristine, IT cytarabine and PO dexamethasone (4 mg BID daily). On day 2, patient developed hyperglycemia (167 mg/dL). On day 4 he received IV Peg-Asparaginase (3,800 IU). On day 8 patient returned with back pain, fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, and Kussmaul breathing. Labs revealed hyperglycemia (1,118 mg/dL), metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap (pH 7.14, pCO2 < 17 mmHg, HCO3 4.6 mmol/L, anion gap 36), elevated lipase (2,256 IU/L), mild transaminitis, and elevated creatinine and BUN. Pancreatic ultrasound was consistent with pancreatitis. The patient was admitted to the pediatric ICU for insulin drip and management of pancreatitis. On day 10 he was transitioned to SQ glargine insulin. Chemotherapy was restarted with dexamethasone and vincristine. Patient had persistent hyperglycemia requiring lispro insulin to cover meals and to correct hyperglycemia. His glucose normalized on this treatment and insulin was tapered down to be discontinued 9 days after initially started. His HbA1c was 7.5% (normal <5.6%) and he had negative T1DM-related antibodies. A CT of the abdomen showed pancreatic inflammation but no fluid collection or necrosis. At the time of discharge, patient was euglycemic. In the following months, in the absence of glucocorticoids and asparaginase, the patient had multiple admissions for recurrent pancreatitis with development of a pseudocyst. No further episodes of hyperglycemia were documented. Conclusion DKA can develop as side effect of treatment with Peg-Asparaginase and glucocorticoids. Patients treated with these medications need to be closely monitored to identify and treat hyperglycemia and pancreatitis as early as it develops.