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High anion gap metabolic acidosis is typically caused by acid produced by the body. More rarely, it may be caused by ingesting methanol or overdosing on aspirin . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The delta ratio is a formula that can be used to assess elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis and to evaluate whether mixed acid base disorder (metabolic acidosis) is present.
The anion gap is the quantity difference between cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) in serum, plasma, or urine. The magnitude of this difference (i.e., "gap") in the serum is calculated to identify metabolic acidosis. If the gap is greater than normal, then high anion gap metabolic acidosis is diagnosed.
Elevated protein (albumin, globulins) may theoretically increase the anion gap but high levels are not usually encountered clinically. Hypoalbuminaemia, which is frequently encountered clinically, will mask an anion gap. As a rule of thumb, a decrease in serum albumin by 1 G/L will decrease the anion gap by 0.25 mmol/L [citation needed]
In general, the cause of a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis is a loss of base, either a gastrointestinal loss or a renal loss [citation needed]. Gastrointestinal loss of bicarbonate (HCO − 3) [citation needed] Severe diarrhea (vomiting will tend to cause hypochloraemic alkalosis) Pancreatic fistula with loss of bicarbonate rich pancreatic fluid
Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms. [2] Blood sugar levels are often normal or only mildly increased. [2] Other conditions that may present similarly include other causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis including diabetic ketoacidosis. [2] Treatment is generally with intravenous normal saline and intravenous sugar solution. [2]
The symptoms of ketoacidosis are variable depending on the underlying cause. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weakness. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Breath may also develop the smell of acetone as it is a volatile ketone that can be exhaled.
Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a medical condition that involves an accumulation of acid in the body due to a failure of the kidneys to appropriately acidify the urine. [1] In renal physiology, when blood is filtered by the kidney, the filtrate passes through the tubules of the nephron, allowing for exchange of salts, acid equivalents, and other solutes before it drains into the bladder as urine.
The symptoms of an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis usually evolve over a period of about 24 hours. Predominant symptoms are nausea and vomiting, pronounced thirst, excessive urine production and abdominal pain that may be severe. [13] [14] In severe DKA, breathing becomes rapid and of a deep, gasping character, called "Kussmaul breathing".