Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Abstract

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of Diabetes Mellitus, whose importance is ever increasing. It is the metabolic disorder that causes more admissions to the pediatric intensive care units, with hospitalization rates around 10 per 100,000 children per year.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of diabetic ketoacidosis in patients under 18 years.

Patients and methods: A descriptive study was conducted. The information was collected through a survey on socio-demographics, epidemiology and diagnosis in children with DKA who were admitted to the pediatric emergency at the National Hospital Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas (HNMCR) during the period August 2013 to August 2015 (n = 30).

Results: 18 (60%) women and 12 (40%) men with DKA were found . The average age at which patients were diagnosed with DKA was 12 years, with a median of 13 years. 50% of patients with DKA were newly onset and 20% were diagnosed 2 years before. Urinary tract infections were present in 40% of cases. The average of serum glucose in patients with DKA was 500 mg/dl. The cerebral edema was the main complication found in 33.3% of cases. 7% of patients with DKA died.

Conclusions: DKA is the most common complication of diabetes with higher incidence in adolescent girls and it is triggered primarily by ”urinary tract infections”.

Acta Pediátrica Hondureña, Vol. 6, No. 1 April 2015 - September 2015: 399-405