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diabetic ketoacidosis

American  
[dahy-uh-bet-ik kee-toh-as-i-doh-sis, kee-toh-] / ˌdaɪ əˈbɛt ɪk ˈki toʊˌæs ɪˈdoʊ sɪs, ˌki toʊ- /

noun

Pathology.
  1. a serious metabolic complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones. DKA


Etymology

Origin of diabetic ketoacidosis

First recorded in 1955–60; diabetic ( def. ) + ketoacidosis ( def. )


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The approach likewise did not raise the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body does not have enough insulin and can become life-threatening.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rates of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication that occurs when insulin levels are so low that cells can no longer convert glucose into energy, were three times that of the rest of Los Angeles County.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

By the fourth day, she had died of diabetic ketoacidosis.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2024

The study also found a 26% higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis at type 1 diabetes diagnosis during the first 12 months of the pandemic compared with the previous year.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 30, 2023

But several cats in the studies also died or had to be euthanized after taking the drug, prompting a so-called black box warning about possible side effects, including diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2023

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