How JHAH's Emergency Team Detected Diabetes in an Infant and Changed One Family's Life
February 23, 2026
Rashid Al Khlaiwi was admitted to JHAH Dhahran with a life-threatening condition caused by undiagnosed diabetes. This is the inspiring story about how his diagnosis and treatment gave him the confidence to live life to the fullest.
Rashid Al Khlaiwi decided it was time for a health kick. In the run-up to Ramadan this year, the 15-year-old cut back on fast food and soda, started playing football, and began jogging. He lost weight — and fast.
“We thought he would drop maybe a couple of kilos before Ramadan,” his father, Bader, recalls. “But he lost a lot more weight than we expected. Of course, we were happy for him, because that’s what he wanted – we were just surprised about how quickly it was happening.”
But Rashid’s mother soon noticed something unusual in her son’s bedroom: a stockpile of bottled water. She asked Rashid how much he was drinking, and the answer shocked her: between 15 and 20 of the 330 ml bottles every day. She had a feeling something was wrong and immediately booked an appointment at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) Dhahran.
On the first day of Ramadan, Rashid visited the hospital for blood and urine tests. He was found to have an unusually high blood sugar level, even though he was fasting. Meanwhile, his blood was found to be highly acidic — its pH had plunged from a healthy 7.45 to a dangerous 7.2, below which there is a risk of slipping into a coma. Rashid also had elevated levels of ketones in his urine and blood.
The diagnosis was clear: diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin. This insulin deficit causes the body to break down fat for fuel, which floods the blood with ketones; a harmful, acidic byproduct. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can be deadly.
“There is a spectrum of symptoms for diabetic ketoacidosis,” Dr. Jumana Amir, an endocrinology consultant at JHAH who treated Rashid, explains. “Sometimes, people present with stomach pains, nausea, and maybe vomiting. They may feel constantly thirsty and need to urinate frequently — as was the case with Rashid. They may also feel tired or confused. Whatever the symptoms, once the diagnosis has been confirmed, there’s always a rush to get the patient the treatment they need.”
Dr. Amir says it is relatively rare for a patient to present with diabetic ketoacidosis with only mild symptoms, especially without an earlier diabetes diagnosis. “Rashid can be thankful for his mother’s instincts,” she says.
From the emergency room to intensive care
Rashid’s next stop was the emergency room. Dr. Abdul Zakir Mohammed, family medicine consultant, who had seen Rashid earlier in the day, stayed behind long after his shift ended to ensure the team in the emergency department was properly briefed about Rashid’s condition. Upon arrival, Rashid received intravenous insulin, intravenous fluids, and oxygen. He was then transferred to the intensive care unit where his blood sugar, potassium levels, ketones, and blood pH were monitored to ensure the resolution of his acidosis.
“My wife was beside herself with worry,” Bader says. "Rashid is our oldest son. Seeing him like that in the hospital — she was devastated. But the way the doctors and nurses talked to her, comforted her, held her hand — it made all the difference. They made clear that his life was going to be normal, especially with all the technology available today to manage his condition.
“The nurses were also amazing with Rashid. Late one night, when my wife was exhausted and sleeping, Rashid was awake, bored, and playing with his iPhone – which promptly ran out of battery. One of the nurses found a charger for him and then sat down to talk with him while his phone was charged. They spoke at length about what he wanted to be when he grew up and what sports teams he liked.
“They told him not to worry because they’d had lots of patients like him before and reassured him that his condition was controllable. They told him about famous athletes who are diabetic, like Nacho, the former Real Madrid defender. Later, Rashid spoke to me about how friendly they were at the hospital, and how much he liked talking to the doctors and nurses.
Dr. Hanan Al Shaikh continues: “Caring for one of our youngest insulin pump patients required close coordination, clinical expertise and a shared commitment to supporting the family. We are grateful to Dr. Narmeen and the pediatric endocrinology team, our diabetes educators, nutrition services, PICU and the Emergency Department for their dedication to our patients.”