DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS IN PAEDIATRICS, RISK FACTORS, AND COMPLICATIONS

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common hyperglycaemic emergency in patients with diabetes mellitus. DKA most often occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes, but patients with type 2 diabetes are susceptible to DKA under stressful conditions, such as trauma, surgery, or infections. We conducted search through electronic databases for relevant studies published up to 2021. Our aim through this narrative review was to discuss the most common risk factors, and complications of DKA among children. Worldwide, infection is the most common precipitating cause for DKA, occurring in 30–50% of cases. Urinary tract infection and pneumonia account for the majority of infections. Other precipitating causes are intercurrent illnesses (i.e., surgery, trauma, myocardial ischemia, pancreatitis), psychological stress, and noncompliance with insulin therapy. The triad of uncontrolled hyperglycaemia, metabolic acidosis and increased total body ketone concentration characterizes DKA