Two cases of ketosis-prone diabetes mellitus in Korean adolescents

In recent years, reports of diabetes mellitus (DM) cases that do not fit the traditional classification system have increased in prevalence. While insulin deficiency appears as type 1 DM (T1DM), the new type also has the clinical features of type 2 DM (T2DM); as such, this new type of DM is called ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) and is correlated with findings of severe hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. To provide a clear, clinical classification of DM, new classification systems are being studied. Among these, the Aβ system demonstrates the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting clinical features and prognosis. We report 2 cases of KPD in Korean pediatric patients. The first patient was referred while in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and was considered to have T1DM. However, their blood glucose was well-controlled even with small doses of insulin, and the treatment was able to be changed to metformin therapy. The second patient seemed to be a typical case of T2DM because of his obesity and strong family history. However, blood glucose was not well-controlled with a regular diet, and ketosis occurred. After performing a glucagon stimulation test, both patients showed different clinical features that were finally diagnosed as type A-β+ KPD. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of KPD can reduce the duration of inappropriate insulin use and improve patients' quality of life. Further, the treatment of KPD children should be individualized according to each patient’s lifestyle to preventing recurrent DKA.