Frequency of Complications in Admitted Patients of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of different complications in admitted patients of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: Diabetic ward of National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi Pakistan from 1^st November 2020 to 31^st October 2021.

Methodology: A total of 253 children of either gender aged 1 to 15 years admitting with DKA and duration of diabetes mellitus ≥3 years were included. All patients were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination for DKA and its complication like hypoglycaemia, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypocalemia, hyperkalaemia.

Resutls: In a total of 253 children admitted with DKA, 123 (48.6%) were girls and 130 (51.4%) boys. Mean age of patients was 6.11 ± 2.87 years, mean BMI was 20.9± 4.7 kg/m², while mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 3.5± 1.2 years. Mean plasma glucose was 22.5±6.0 mmol/L (405±108mg/dl), mean HbA1c 10.2±2.1% while mean pH was 6.9±0.4. In a total of 253 patients with DKA, hypoglycemia was noted in 47(18.6%), hypokalemia 17 (6.7%), hyponatremia 22 (8.7%), hypocalcaemia 11 (4.35%) while hyperkalaemia was observed in 9 (3.56%) patients.

Conclusion: Most of the patients admitted with DKA were aged <10 years who developed complications. Hypoglycemia was the most common complication of DKA while hyponatremia the 2^nd most frequent complication observed in DKA patients. Electrolytes should be investigated and managed timely to avoid unwanted outcomes among patients admitted with DKA.

Keywords: Complications, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetes mellitus, children.