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Effectiveness of a prevention program for diabetic ketoacidosis in children. An 8-year study in schools and private
M Vanelli1, G Chiari, L Ghizzoni
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Parma, Italy. vanelli@ipruniv.cce.unipr.it
Insights
A public health campaign successfully reduced diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children with new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Early diagnosis and intervention significantly decreased DKA incidence and symptom duration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in children.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent DKA and its associated morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a DKA prevention program in children aged 6-14 years.
- To shorten the period of carbohydrate intolerance preceding IDDM diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- An 8-year DKA prevention program was implemented in Parma, Italy, involving educational materials for schools and healthcare providers.
- Newly diagnosed diabetic children (6-14 years) in Parma (group 1) were compared to those from control areas without the program (group 2).
- Data on DKA incidence, symptom duration, metabolic derangements, and hospitalization were analyzed.
Main Results:
- DKA incidence dropped from 78% to 12.5% in the intervention area after program implementation.
- The duration of symptoms before diagnosis was significantly shorter in group 1 (5 days) compared to group 2 (28 days).
- Hospitalization duration for treatment and self-management education was also reduced in group 1.
Conclusions:
- The DKA prevention program in Parma was highly successful in reducing DKA incidence and severity in newly diagnosed diabetic children.
- The program led to earlier diagnosis, shorter symptom duration, and reduced healthcare utilization.
- This initiative demonstrates the impact of targeted public health campaigns on managing childhood diabetes.
Objective:
To shorten the period of carbohydrate intolerance preceding the diagnosis of IDDM in children.
Research Design And Methods:
The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was studied in newly diagnosed diabetic children aged 6-14 years, in the area of Parma, Italy, 8 years after an information program on DKA was introduced to teachers, students, parents, and pediatricians. Information was provided by displaying a poster with a few practical messages in 177 primary and secondary public schools. The pediatricians working in the same area were given equipment for the measurement of both glycosuria and blood glucose levels, as well as cards listing guidelines for the early diagnosis of diabetes, to be given to patients. A toll-free number was also provided. Clinical and laboratory features of 24 young diabetic patients diagnosed in the Parma area (group 1) were compared with those of 30 patients coming from two nearby areas in which no campaign for the prevention of DKA had been carried out (group 2).
Results:
From 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1997, DKA was diagnosed in 3 children from group 1 (12.5%) and in 25 children from group 2 (83.0%) (chi 2 = 26.8; P = 0.0001). The three cases of DKA in group 1 were observed in 1991 (n = 1) and in 1992 (n = 2). No patients from the Parma area who had DKA were admitted to our unit after 1992. The duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 5.0 +/- 6.0 and 28.0 +/- 10.0 days (P < 0.0001), in groups 1 and 2, respectively, Metabolic derangements were less severe in patients of group 1 than in those of group 2. Hospitalization for the treatment of overt diabetes and for the teaching of self-management of the disease lasted 5.4 +/- 1.2 days in group 1 and 13.3 +/- 2.4 days in group 2 (P = 0.002). The total cost of the 8-year campaign was $23,470.
Conclusions:
The prevention program for DKA in diabetic children aged 6-14 years, carried out in the Parma area during the last 8 years, was successful. Thanks to this program, cumulative frequency of DKA in new-onset IDDM decreased from 78% during 1987-1991 to 12.5% during 1991-1997. None of the newly diagnosed diabetic children aged 6-14 years and from the Parma area were ever admitted to the hospital for DKA after 1992.