Precipitating risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

الملخص EN

Objective: To determine the precipitating risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from medical and social points of view as well as risk of prolonged hospital stay.

Methods: Forty-eight patients were admitted to Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital for DKA.

Over a 2 years period; September 2001 through to September 2003.

Patient's age, sex and family socioeconomic status were identified.

Duration of hospital stay was examined, prolonged duration of stay was defined as ،ف 7days.

Results: Forty eight patients with DKA, their ages ranged between 1 and 15 years, with a male to a female ratio 1.3:1.

More than half of the children (58.4%) were males and (60.5%) were from low social status.

Poor compliance to continue the treatment and infections were the most common precipitating factors, being responsible for 54.2% and 25% of cases of DKA respectively Children with prolonged hospital stay were significantly found to be of younger age and of low socioeconomic status.

Conclusions: DKA is still a commonly seen complication; it can be the presenting feature of diabetes.

Poor compliance and inadequate treatment are the leading precipitating factors in our patients.