Page 1 of 2

The Humane Angle

First Sighting
Pernaz is a child diabetic. At the time diabetes was diagnosed her GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) was 550 %/mg and ketoses was 4+.

Possible Pathological Trigger
At the age of eight years, Pernaz had complained of pain in abdominal area around the navel along with acute pain in legs. The consulting GP prescribed and administered an injection dose of the drug, Baralgan.

Other Ailments if any
Mumps and pneumonia patch once and occasional sore throat and cough in the past years.

Prescription

Should check blood sugar level at least once in two days.
Insulation intake by injection on thigh or stomach twice–thrice a day.
Take meals and medication at regular intervals and exercise regularly as prescribed.

Case History
14 year old Pernaz’s mother kept telling her that she was losing weight. At that time Pernaz was not aware of the fact because she used to get hungry even between meals. Though what she noticed was that her thirst for liquids had increased especially during nights and as a result she was also urinating more frequently. One evening her mother jokingly related an old grandma’s tale: If an ant was seen in the toilet then someone in the family was suffering from diabetes.

Since she was overweight and over 40 years, her mother, Ruchi decided she would do a blood sugar test as a precaution. But Pernaz insisted that she was the one who had diabetes.

The Initial Shock
Ruchi took Pernaz to a clinic–laboratory run by the nuns of Fatima Convent nearby in the city. After giving her fasting blood sample, Ruchi told Pernaz to pick up her reports while returning from her school which was near the lab. In the evening, when Ruchi returned home she was shocked to see the report: Pernaz’s blood sugar level was 550mg% with ketoses at 4+. Ruchi immediately rang up their family doctor and child specialist Dr. Ranade and told him about it. Dr. Ranade asked her a question: “What is Pernaz doing right now?” Ruchi replied: “She is playing downstairs with other children”. To this Dr. Ranade said: “Then there has been some mix–up. At 550mg% blood sugar and ketosis of 4+, she should be in coma and not playing”. Dr. Ranade then suggested that the tests be repeated at another clinic. The tests were repeated along with a urine culture but the reading remained unchanged. The tests were rerun thrice again, but the blood sugar level was the same each time. Dr. Ranade then recommended that Pernaz should be admitted to hospital. A shocked Ruchi took Pernaz to Jehangir Hospital where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
An attack of hypoglycemia: Taking the insulin dosage regularly and in right amounts is necessary or a diabetic can suffer from hypoglycemia.

Start Previous 1 2 Next End

Users' Comments