Rapid administration of IV fluids + insulin → cerebral edema
Treating hyperglycemia causes K+ to move rapidly into cells
impacts cardiac functioning
Overcorrection of fluid losses
Fluid overload & pulmonary edema
Untreated hyperglycemia
Decreased levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, & phosphate
Renal failure caused by hypovolemic shock
Retention of ketones & glucose
Progressive metabolic acidosis
Comatose due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, & acidosis
Special Considerations
Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Presenting factor for diabetic ketoacidosis (McFarlane, 2011)
Cerebral edema occurs in <1% of all paediatric DKA cases (Long & Koyfman, 2017)
Children < 3 years old & come from areas with low prevalence of diabetes are at risk for moderate to
severe DKA (Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee, 2018)
Risk factors for children that increase likelihood of DKA: (Diabetes
Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee, 2018;
Oettingen, Rhodes, & Wolfsdorf, 2018; MacArthur & Phillips 2015)
Low socioeconomic
status
High family conflict
Limited access to health care
Poor metabolic control
Previous episodes of DKA
Adolescent females
Children with psychiatric disorders
Ethnic minorities
Management of DKA for children
Fluid resuscitation is the primary goal
Always weigh child before because rapid rehydration can lead to
cerebral edema (McFarlane, 2011)
Fluid bolus of 10-20 mL/kg is likely safe for children (Long & Koyfman, 2017)