Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of children younger than 15 years with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted at San Vicente Fundación University Hospital in Medellín, Colombia, between january 2001 and december 2010

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most important acute complication in children with diabetes mellitus. Our objective was to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, and the laboratory findings in the pediatric population with DKA at a third-level hospital in Medellín, Colombia. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study of DKA in children under 15 years. Information was obtained from the clinical records and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: 98 episodes of DKA in 77 patients were included. Average age of patients was 8.7 years, 57.1% were girls, and 23.4% had no health security coverage. In 53.1%, DKA was the presenting manifestation of DM. Out of those with previous DM1 diagnosis, 64.4% had not adhered to treatment. On admission, 42.8% had infections. Time between the onset of symptoms and the consultation was 41 hours in those with previous DM1 diagnosis, and 120 hours in the ones diagnosed de novo. Severe DKA was the predominant one: 41.8%. On admission, pH was 7.1 (SD: 0.12). During treatment, 28.6% developed hypoglycemia and 5.1%, cerebral edema. Two patients died. Conclusions: Clinical and laboratory characteristics of our patients with DKA are similar to those reported by other authors. Lack of adherence to treatment and infections may be important and avoidable causes of decompensation.