Cognitive function following diabetic ketoacidosis in young children with type 1 diabetes.

2023

e412

05/2023

2398-9238

INTRODUCTION: Young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be at particularly high risk of cognitive decline following diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, studies of cognitive functioning in T1D typically examine school-age children. The goal of this study was to examine whether a single experience of DKA is associated with lower cognitive functioning in young children. We found that recently diagnosed 3- to 5-year-olds who experienced one DKA episode, regardless of its severity, exhibited lower IQ scores than those with no DKA exposure.

METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 46 3- to 5-year-old children, who presented with DKA at the onset of T1D, in a randomized multi-site clinical trial evaluating intravenous fluid protocols for DKA treatment. DKA was moderate/severe in 22 children and mild in 24 children. Neurocognitive function was assessed once 2-6 months after the DKA episode. A comparison group of 27 children with T1D, but no DKA exposure, was also assessed. Patient groups were matched for age and T1D duration at the time of neurocognitive testing.

RESULTS: Children who experienced DKA, regardless of its severity, exhibited significantly lower IQ scores than children who did not experience DKA, F(2, 70) = 6.26, p = .003, partial η  = .15. This effect persisted after accounting for socioeconomic status and ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS: A single DKA episode is associated with lower IQ scores soon after exposure to DKA in young children.

10.1002/edm2.412

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab

36788736

Clinical and Laboratory Predictors of Dehydration Severity in Children With Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2023

04/2023

1097-6760

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to characterize the degree of dehydration in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and identify physical examination and biochemical factors associated with dehydration severity. Secondary objectives included describing relationships between dehydration severity and other clinical outcomes.

METHODS: In this cohort study, we analyzed data from 753 children with 811 episodes of DKA in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Fluid Therapies Under Investigation Study, a randomized clinical trial of fluid resuscitation protocols for children with DKA. We used multivariable regression analyses to identify physical examination and biochemical factors associated with dehydration severity, and we described associations between dehydration severity and DKA outcomes.

RESULTS: Mean dehydration was 5.7% (SD 3.6%). Mild (0 to <5%), moderate (5 to <10%), and severe (≥10%) dehydration were observed in 47% (N=379), 42% (N=343), and 11% (N=89) of episodes, respectively. In multivariable analyses, more severe dehydration was associated with new onset of diabetes, higher blood urea nitrogen, lower pH, higher anion gap, and diastolic hypertension. However, there was substantial overlap in these variables between dehydration groups. The mean length of hospital stay was longer for patients with moderate and severe dehydration, both in new onset and established diabetes.

CONCLUSION: Most children with DKA have mild-to-moderate dehydration. Although biochemical measures were more closely associated with the severity of dehydration than clinical assessments, neither were sufficiently predictive to inform rehydration practice.

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.01.001

Ann Emerg Med

37024382

Cognitive function following diabetic ketoacidosis in young children with type 1 diabetes.

2023

e412

02/2023

2398-9238

INTRODUCTION: Young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be at particularly high risk of cognitive decline following diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, studies of cognitive functioning in T1D typically examine school-age children. The goal of this study was to examine whether a single experience of DKA is associated with lower cognitive functioning in young children. We found that recently diagnosed 3- to 5-year-olds who experienced one DKA episode, regardless of its severity, exhibited lower IQ scores than those with no DKA exposure.

METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 46 3- to 5-year-old children, who presented with DKA at the onset of T1D, in a randomized multi-site clinical trial evaluating intravenous fluid protocols for DKA treatment. DKA was moderate/severe in 22 children and mild in 24 children. Neurocognitive function was assessed once 2-6 months after the DKA episode. A comparison group of 27 children with T1D, but no DKA exposure, was also assessed. Patient groups were matched for age and T1D duration at the time of neurocognitive testing.

RESULTS: Children who experienced DKA, regardless of its severity, exhibited significantly lower IQ scores than children who did not experience DKA, F(2, 70) = 6.26, p = .003, partial η  = .15. This effect persisted after accounting for socioeconomic status and ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS: A single DKA episode is associated with lower IQ scores soon after exposure to DKA in young children.

10.1002/edm2.412

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab

36788736

Pyuria in Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2023

204-207.e2

01/2023

1097-6833

Acute kidney injury occurs frequently during pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We reviewed urinalyses from 561 children with DKA; pyuria was detected in 19% overall and in 40% of children with more comprehensive urine testing (≥3 urinalyses) during DKA.

10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.054

J Pediatr

36084731

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Cerebral Injury preceding Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2022

100-104

11/2022

1097-6833

Previous studies have identified more severe acidosis and higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) as risk factors for cerebral injury during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children; however, cerebral injury also can occur before DKA treatment. We found that lower pH and higher BUN levels also were associated with cerebral injury at presentation.

10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.07.033

J Pediatr

35944716

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Cerebral Injury Preceding Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2022

08/2022

1097-6833

Previous studies have identified more severe acidosis and higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) as risk factors for cerebral injury during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children; however, cerebral injury also can occur before DKA treatment. We found that lower pH and higher BUN levels also were associated with cerebral injury at presentation.

10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.07.033

J Pediatr

35944716

Pyuria in Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2022

09/2022

1097-6833

Acute kidney injury occurs frequently during pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We reviewed urinalyses from 561 children with DKA; pyuria was detected in 19% overall and in 40% of children with more comprehensive urine testing (>3 urinalyses) during DKA.

10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.054

J Pediatr

36084731

Serum Sodium Concentration and Mental Status in Children With Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2021

2021 Aug 09

1098-4275

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is typically characterized by low or low-normal serum sodium concentrations, which rise as hyperglycemia resolves. In retrospective studies, researchers found associations between declines in sodium concentrations during DKA and cerebral injury. We prospectively investigated determinants of sodium concentration changes and associations with mental status alterations during DKA.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Using data from the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Fluid Therapies Under Investigation in Diabetic Ketoacidosis Trial, we compared children who had declines in glucose-corrected sodium concentrations with those who had rising or stable concentrations. Children were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intravenous fluid protocols that differed in infusion rate and sodium content. Data from the first 4, 8, and 12 hours of treatment were analyzed for 1251, 1086, and 877 episodes, respectively.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>In multivariable analyses, declines in glucose-corrected sodium concentrations were associated with higher sodium and chloride concentrations at presentation and with previously diagnosed diabetes. Treatment with 0.45% (vs 0.9%) sodium chloride fluids was also associated with declines in sodium concentration; however, higher rates of fluid infusion were associated with declines in sodium concentration only at 12 hours. Frequencies of abnormal Glasgow Coma Scale scores and clinical diagnoses of cerebral injury were similar in patients with and without declines in glucose-corrected sodium concentrations.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Changes in glucose-corrected sodium concentrations during DKA treatment are influenced by the balance of free-water loss versus sodium loss at presentation and the sodium content of intravenous fluids. Declines in glucose-corrected sodium concentrations are not associated with mental status changes during treatment.</p>

10.1542/peds.2021-050243

Pediatrics

34373322

Effects of Fluid Rehydration Strategy on Correction of Acidosis and Electrolyte Abnormalities in Children With Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

2021

2021 Jun 29

1935-5548

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>Fluid replacement to correct dehydration, acidosis, and electrolyte abnormalities is the cornerstone of treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), but little is known about optimal fluid infusion rates and electrolyte content. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether different fluid protocols affect the rate of normalization of biochemical derangements during DKA treatment.</p>

<p><strong>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: </strong>The current analysis involved moderate or severe DKA episodes ( = 714) in children age &lt;18 years enrolled in the Fluid Therapies Under Investigation in DKA (FLUID) Trial. Children were assigned to one of four treatment groups using a 2 × 2 factorial design (0.90% or 0.45% saline and fast or slow rate of administration).</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The rate of change of pH did not differ by treatment arm, but Pco increased more rapidly in the fast versus slow fluid infusion arms during the initial 4 h of treatment. The anion gap also decreased more rapidly in the fast versus slow infusion arms during the initial 4 and 8 h. Glucose-corrected sodium levels remained stable in patients assigned to 0.90% saline but decreased in those assigned to 0.45% saline at 4 and 8 h. Potassium levels decreased, while chloride levels increased more rapidly with 0.90% versus 0.45% saline. Hyperchloremic acidosis occurred more frequently in patients in the fast arms (46.1%) versus the slow arms (35.2%).</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>In children treated for DKA, faster fluid administration rates led to a more rapid normalization of anion gap and Pco than slower fluid infusion rates but were associated with an increased frequency of hyperchloremic acidosis.</p>

10.2337/dc20-3113

Diabetes Care

34187840

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Pediatric Emergency Department Wait Times.

2021

2021 Jun 15

1535-1815

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>Wait time for emergency care is a quality measure that affects clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. It is unknown if there is racial/ethnic variability in this quality measure in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). We aim to determine whether racial/ethnic differences exist in wait times for children presenting to PEDs and examine between-site and within-site differences.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study for PED encounters in 2016 using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry, an aggregated deidentified electronic health registry comprising 7 PEDs. Patient encounters were included among all patients 18 years or younger at the time of the ED visit. We evaluated differences in emergency department wait time (time from arrival to first medical evaluation) considering patient race/ethnicity as the exposure.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Of 448,563 visits, median wait time was 35 minutes (interquartile range, 17-71 minutes). Compared with non-Hispanic White (NHW) children, non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, and other race children waited 27%, 33%, and 12% longer, respectively. These differences were attenuated after adjusting for triage acuity level, mode of arrival, sex, age, insurance, time of day, and month [adjusted median wait time ratios (95% confidence intervals): 1.11 (1.10-1.12) for NHB, 1.12 (1.11-1.13) for Hispanic, and 1.05 (1.03-1.06) for other race children compared with NHW children]. Differences in wait time for NHB and other race children were no longer significant after adjusting for clinical site. Fully adjusted median wait times among Hispanic children were longer compared with NHW children [1.04 (1.03-1.05)].</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>In unadjusted analyses, non-White children experienced longer PED wait times than NHW children. After adjusting for illness severity, patient demographics, and overcrowding measures, wait times for NHB and other race children were largely determined by site of care. Hispanic children experienced longer within-site and between-site wait times compared with NHW children. Additional research is needed to understand structures and processes of care contributing to wait time differences between sites that disproportionately impact non-White patients.</p>

10.1097/PEC.0000000000002483

Pediatr Emerg Care

34140453