Diabetic ketoacidosis in children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
07:22

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes

Published on: March 7, 2025

N H White1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. white_n@kids.wustl.edu

Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America
|January 10, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes requiring urgent treatment. Prevention through multidisciplinary care is crucial for managing type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication in diabetic patients.
  • It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the pediatric population.
  • Prompt and aggressive intervention is essential for managing DKA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To emphasize the severity of DKA in children and adolescents.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding DKA pathophysiology and management.
  • To advocate for DKA prevention as a primary goal in type 1 diabetes treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of DKA management principles.
  • Emphasis on pathophysiology and monitoring.
  • Discussion of preventative strategies.

Main Results:

  • Most DKA cases can achieve satisfactory outcomes with appropriate management.
  • Despite treatment, risks for morbidity persist.
  • Prevention is paramount due to treatment costs and residual risks.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding DKA's severity and management is key to favorable outcomes.
  • Prevention of DKA is a critical objective in managing type 1 diabetes.
  • Multidisciplinary team involvement and close follow-up are vital for DKA prevention in pediatric patients.

More Related Videos

Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion via Perfusion through the Mice Vasculature with an Intact Pancreas04:41

Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion via Perfusion through the Mice Vasculature with an Intact Pancreas

Published on: July 25, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction01:25

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a triad of hyperglycemia (blood glucose >250 mg/dL), ketonemia or ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L). It results from insulin deficiency combined with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones—glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone—leading to increased lipolysis, hepatic ketone production, and...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis. It results from severe insulin deficiency and an excess of counterregulatory hormones, leading to uncontrolled lipolysis, ketogenesis, and widespread electrolyte and fluid disturbances.Pathophysiology The central event in DKA is a profound loss of insulin action. Without insulin, glucose uptake in insulin-dependent tissues is impaired, while hepatic glucose production...
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus01:22

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations

Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...