Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

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
[Factors associated with childhood diabetes manifesting as ketoacidosis and its severity]
N Blanc1, N Lucidarme, N Tubiana-Rufi
1Service d'endocrinologie et de diabétologie, hôpital Robert-Debré, AP-HP, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France.
Insights
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children is often diagnosed late in France. Younger children and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are at higher risk, highlighting the need for better physician awareness and healthcare access.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Public Health
Context:
- Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in French children frequently occurs at the stage of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
- DKA at diagnosis poses significant health risks for pediatric patients.
- Understanding associated factors is crucial for early detection and prevention.
Purpose:
- To identify factors associated with the occurrence and severity of DKA at diagnosis in children with Type 1 diabetes.
- To investigate the role of age, family history, socioeconomic status, and prior misdiagnosis in DKA presentation.
- To assess the utilization of diagnostic tools like urine strips in pre-diagnosis evaluations.
Summary:
- A prospective study of 72 children revealed younger age and lower socioeconomic status are linked to DKA and severe DKA.
- Misdiagnosis was more common in children with DKA, particularly severe cases and those from low-income families.
- Underutilization of urine glucose and ketone strips was noted in pre-admission assessments.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the necessity of educating physicians on recognizing early diabetes symptoms to prevent DKA.
- Improving healthcare access for lower socioeconomic families can mitigate risks associated with severe DKA.
- Reducing DKA incidence at diagnosis is a critical public health goal for pediatric diabetes management.
Introduction:
Type 1 diabetes in children in France is frequently diagnosed at the stage of ketoacidosis (DKA).
Patients And Methods:
A prospective study was performed in a group of 72 children (mean age = 9.4 years) at onset of diabetes, in order to determine which factors were associated to DKA and to the severity of DKA (pH < 7.10) at diagnosis.
Results:
Younger age was related to DKA (p = 0.03), but not to its severity. A lesser frequency of DKA was found in children with a family history of insulin-treated diabetes ( p = 0.04). Misdiagnosis was more frequently observed in children with DKA than in children without DKA (p = 0.02) and in case of severe DKA at admission by comparison with non severe cases (76 vs 23%; p = 0.002). Children in low economic intake families exhibited more frequently a severe DKA (77 vs 23%; p = 0.002) and were more frequently misdiagnosed before admission (48% vs 10%; p < 0.01). Urine strips for glucose and ketone determinations were underused for diagnosis before admission (15% only).
Conclusion:
Those results underline the need to both inform physicians and ameliorate the access to health care for low social class families, in order to take up the challenge of reducing the incidence of DKA at diagnosis in diabetic children in our country.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications