Box 2.

Mnemonic for causes of wide anion gap metabolic acidosis

G – glycols (ethylene and propylene)

O – 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid)

L – L-lactate

D – D-lactate

M – methanol and other toxins (ethanol, toluene, paraldehyde)

A – aspirin/salicylates

R – renal failure

K – ketones

Adapted from Berend et al.¹³