PEDIATRIC DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

Course overview

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA) IS A SERIOUS COMPLICATION OF RELATIVE INSULIN DEFICIENCY AFFECTING PRIMARILY TYPE-1 DIABETES MELLITUS (DM). DKA CAN OCCUR IN TYPE-2 DM WHEN INSULIN LEVELS FALL FAR BEHIND THE BODY’S NEEDS. DKA IS SO NAMED DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF WATER-SOLUBLE KETONE BODIES (KBS), LEADING TO AN ACIDOTIC PHYSIOLOGIC STATE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE ETIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION AND REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EVALUATING, DIAGNOSING, AND MANAGING THE CONDITION.