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Diabetic ketosis in children treated by adding low-dose insulin to rehydrating fluid
Insights
Low-dose insulin infusions effectively treated severe diabetic ketosis in children, avoiding complications like hypoglycemia. This method rapidly improved consciousness and oral fluid tolerance within 12 hours.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Diabetic ketosis is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Conventional treatment involves large insulin doses, which can lead to hypoglycemia and hypokalemia.
Observation:
- Four children with severe diabetic ketosis were treated with a novel low-dose intermittent insulin infusion regimen.
- Insulin was administered within the rehydrating fluid.
Findings:
- All four children rapidly regained consciousness and tolerated oral fluids within 12 hours.
- The treatment regimen successfully avoided hypoglycemia and hypokalemia, common complications of conventional therapy.
- Achieved plasma insulin levels were within the optimal range.
Implications:
- This low-dose insulin infusion method offers a safer and effective alternative for treating pediatric diabetic ketosis.
- It potentially reduces the risk of adverse events associated with traditional high-dose insulin therapy.
- Further research could validate this approach in larger pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Four children with severe diabetic ketosis were successfully treated with a regimen of low-dose intermittent insulin infusions in the rehydrating fluid. The children all rapidly regained consciousness and tolerated oral fluids within 12 hours of admission. Hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia, both complications of conventional large dose insulin treatment, did not occur. Plasma insulin levels obtained by this method were maintained in the optimum range recommended by Sönksen et al. (1972).