37117 Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in Pregnancy

Course overview

Discussion of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) including risk factors, adverse perinatal outcomes related to diabetes in pregnancy, and common precipitating events; the pathophysiology of DKA; management strategies for the pregnant patient; and appropriate maternal-fetal surveillance measures and expected responses and outcomes. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an infrequent complication of gestational diabetes; however, in the absence of prompt diagnosis and treatment, it poses great risks and can be life-threatening to the mother and fetus. The incidence of DKA in pregnancy is expected to increase, due to the increased frequency of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes during pregnancy, which is a result of the change in demographics of women who are pregnant. Pregnancies complicated by DKA are associated with increased rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality, which can be reduced with early detection of precipitating factors, prompt hospitalization, and targeted therapy with intensive monitoring. DKA in pregnancy is an obstetric and medical emergency, requiring prompt and aggressive treatment in a specialized care unit using a multidisciplinary approach. This program discusses gestational DKA risk factors, maternal and fetal implications, diagnosis, medical management, and prevention measures in order to achieve better patient outcomes related to gestational DKA.