SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED KETOSIS IN CHILDREN

The effect of ketosis on carbohydrate metabolism has been studied by the use of the glucose tolerance tests. Many have studied the immediate results of ketosis, but few have considered the period following it. To ascertain this after-effect, it was necessary to study the two preceding periods; first, before the onset of ketosis; second, during the ketosis. Two groups of children were investigated; first, children who developed ketosis on a ketogenic diet; second, children who were admitted to the hospital in a state of ketosis following cyclic vomiting. It is difficult to say whether the two forms of ketosis are comparable; certainly, the etiologic factors are so different that we considered it best to study them separately. The first group consisted of nine children, six boys and three girls, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years. Eight of these patients were admitted to the pediatric service of Mount Sinai