Lactation Ketoacidosis: An Unusual Entity and a Review of the Literature.

A 31-year-old woman presented to the hospital with symptoms of nausea, malaise, and emesis. She was breastfeeding her 10-month-old infant. She was found to have severe ketoacidosis. The patient was not in diabetic ketoacidosis or alcoholic ketoacidosis; nor had she ingested any toxins. After she was admitted to the hospital, received intravenous fluids, and stopped breastfeeding, her symptoms resolved. She was found to have lactation ketoacidosis, an uncommon condition in humans. A review of all causes of ketoacidosis is presented with special emphasis on lactation ketocacidosis.