VARIATION OF COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN ADMITTED IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WITH SEVERE DKA

Objectives: To describe the spectrum of complications of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) observed in children admitted with severe DKA.

Methods: Retrospective review of the medical records of all children admitted with the diagnosis of severe DKA in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of  Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, from January 2020 to December 2021 was done. Data was collected on a structured proforma and descriptive statistics were applied.

Results: Total 37 children were admitted with complicated DKA (1.9% of total PICU admission with 1.8% in 2020 and 3.4% in 2021). Mean age of study population was 8.1±4.6 years and 70% were females (26/37). Mean Prism III score was 9.4±6, mean GCS on presentation was 11±3.8 and mean lowest pH was 7.00±0.15. Complications observed included hyperchloremia (35.94%), hypokalemia (30.81%), hyponatremia (26.70%), cerebral edema (16.43%), shock (13.35%), acute kidney injury (10.27%), arrhythmias (3.8%), and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (5.4%), while one patient had myocarditis and ARDS each. 13/37 children (35%) needed inotropic support, 11/37 (30%) required mechanical ventilation while only one patient required renal replacement therapy. Two patients (5.4%) died during their PICU stay.