Massive ischemic intestinal necrosis at the onset of diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis in a three-year-old girl.

A previously healthy 3-year-old girl had severe diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by hypovolemic shock. When her abdominal pain and acidosis failed to improve despite vigorous fluid resuscitation and insulin therapy, further investigation found an intestinal perforation. At laparotomy, gangrenous bowel was found, requiring an extensive enterectomy from the distal jejunum to the transverse colon; less than 90 cm of viable small intestine remained. The child survived a complicated postoperative course and currently is thriving on a normal diet.