A Rare Complication of Insulin Therapy in a Child with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin Edema

Although insulin therapy has a critical role in the management of patients with type 1 diabetes, it may cause various side effects at varying rates. Insulin edema is a very rare complication that is mostly associated with the initiation of insulin therapy in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes or intensification of insülin therapy in those with poor glycemic control. Its clinical spectrum ranges from mild peripheral edema to severe serosal effusions (peritoneal, pleural and pericardia) and heart failure. Although it is a known for a long time, a small number of cases have been reported so far and its incidence is not clear, and additionally most cases are thought to be undiagnosed due to mild clinical presentation. Here, we present a 10-year-old male with type 1 diabetes who developed insulin edema following insulin therapy and improved spontaneously with fluid / salt restriction. In conclusion, it should be kept in mind that there is a possibility of development of insulin edema after the initiation of insulin therapy in patients with diabetes.