Transient diabetes mellitus in a newborn – near fatal case

Transient diabetes mellitus usually presents as dehydration, loss of weight or acidosis in SGA neonates. Hyperglycemia and prolonged glycosuria results in severe dehydration and at times metabolic acidosis (1,2). Disease is usually transient and insulin therapy is required in acute phase. Failure to recognize early may further result in life threatening complications. Transient diabetes is probably caused by overexpression of a putative gene located on chromosome 6 which alters pancreatic β-cell maturation and insulin secretion. Here we report a near fatal case presenting with shock, acute renal failure and hyperkalemia due to delayed recognition of transient neonatal diabetes mellitus.