Diabetic Ketoacidosis in children : Prevalence and Precipitating Factors Of diabetic ketoacidosis in children with Type 1 DM Patients at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), particularly in pediatric patients. While DKA commonly occurs at the onset of DM diagnosis, it can also affect individuals with known Type 1 DM due to various precipitating factors. Understanding the prevalence of DKA in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with DM and identifying precipitating factors in known Type 1 DM are crucial for effective management and prevention of this serious condition. Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of DKA in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with DM and explore the precipitating factors contributing to DKA episodes in individuals with known Type 1 DM. Methods: A comprehensive retrospective analysis covered 184 pediatric patients admitted to Saint Paul Hospital with diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) between January 2017 and December 2022. Within this group, 84 were newly diagnosed with type 1 DM. Data collected encompassed demographic information, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and precipitating factors associated with DKA development. Results: Among the 84 newly diagnosed patients, a striking majority, 75 individuals (89%), presented with Ketoacidosis as their initial manifestation of Diabetes Mellitus. Converesely only minority compromising 9 patients ( 11%) did not exhibit ketoacidosis as initial presentation. Additionally In children with known Type 1 DM who presented with DKA, a 50 of them (50%), had concurrent infections as a precipitating factor. Conclusion = The findings underscore the critical role of Ketoacidosis as the primary presentation of Diabetes Mellitus in a substantial majority of newly diagnosed patients and infection being the commonest precipitating factor for known DM patient to have Ketoacidosis.