[Diabetic ketoacidosis in childhood]

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D Krikovszky1, A Luczay, A Körner

  • 1I. Gyermekklinika, Semmelweis Orvostudományi Egyetem, Budapest.

Orvosi Hetilap
|March 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication in children with insulin-dependent diabetes. This study found no link between DKA severity and hospital stay duration, though treatment times varied.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Context:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, frequently leading to hospitalization in children.
  • The mortality rate for DKA has remained stagnant at 1-2% since the 1970s.
  • This study retrospectively analyzed 89 pediatric patients admitted with DKA between 1992 and 1997.

Purpose:

  • To compare metabolic parameters, ketoacidosis causes, and hospital stay duration between previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed diabetic children.
  • To analyze laboratory findings, intravenous fluid and insulin requirements, and hospital stay length in patients with mild-to-moderate versus severe DKA.
  • To examine consciousness levels and co-existing complications in pediatric DKA patients.

Summary:

  • Analysis of 89 pediatric DKA cases revealed no significant relationship between disease severity and hospital treatment duration.
  • A significant difference was observed solely in the duration of intravenous insulin administration, excluding pH and base excess.
  • Even children with previously diagnosed diabetes required over 7 days of hospitalization for DKA treatment.

Impact:

  • Highlights the prolonged hospitalization required for pediatric DKA, irrespective of initial severity or prior diagnosis.
  • Suggests potential areas for optimizing intravenous insulin therapy protocols in pediatric DKA management.
  • Underscores the persistent challenge of DKA as a critical complication in pediatric diabetes care.

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