A METABOLIC COMPLICATION OF SEVERE BURNS

A 32-year-old male was referred to intensive care with possible respir atory sepsis 15 days after sustaining 73 per cent TBSA electrical burn s. investigation revealed previously undiagnosed hyperosmolar non-keto tic diabetic coma. The aetiology, pathogenesis and management of this recognized complication of major burns is discussed. An interesting fe ature of this case is recovery from 73 per rent burns, severe hyperosm olar non-ketotic diabetic coma and a serum osmolality of 429 mosmol/kg , each of which carry a high mortality probability.