9th November 2021

A previously healthy 12-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency department with reduced consciousness and sweet smelling breath

A previously healthy 12-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency department with reduced consciousness and sweet smelling breath. An arterial blood gas is performed which reveals a pH of 7.25 (7.35-7.45), a PO2 of 14 kPA (10-14 kPa), PCO2 of (4.5-6.0 kPa), and a bicarbonate of 13 mmol/L (22-28 mmol/L). The calculated anion gap is 24 (3-11 mmol/L). What type of acid-base disorder does the patient have and what is the likely cause?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.