ABSTRACT
Ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma are the two most serious acute hyperglycemic emergencies of diabetes mellitus. Insulin-deficient states most typically lead to diabetic ketoacidosis in those with autoimmune diabetes (type 1) or pancreatic disease, whereas nonketotic hyperosmolar coma occurs in the setting of relative, but not absolute, insulin deficiency (type 2 diabetes).
