Ketoacidosis may be a complication of starvation.
Clinical features:
(1) current starvation or prolonged fasting
(2) presence of markedly elevated ketone bodies in the blood
(3) metabolic acidosis
(4) exclusion of other causes of ketoacidosis (diabetes, alcohol, sepsis, etc)
Risk factors:
(1) pregnancy
(2) chronic pancreatitis (also associated with diabetes)
Differential diagnosis:
(1) ketosis associated with low-carbohydrate diet or simple fasting
