Overview Algorithm for the Management of
Children and Young People under the age of
18 years with Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Version 1 - 2022-01-24
Clinical Signs:
- Dehydration
- Kussmaul breathing
Clinical History: - Ketotic smell Biochemistry:
- Polyuria/polydipsia - Lethargy, drowsiness - Hyperglycaemia
- Weight loss (>11mmol/L)
- Abdominal pain - Acidaemia (pH<7.3)
- Weakness Confirm diagnosis - Ketosis (blood ketones
- Vomiting DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS >3mmol/L or urine
- Confusion ketones ++)
Call senior staff
pH <7.1 = Severe DKA (10% dehydration
pH <7.2 = Moderate DKA (5% dehydration)
pH <7.3 = Mild DKA (5% dehydration
- Tachycardia
- Prolonged central capillary refill
- Poor peripheral pulses
- Hypotension (late sign)
Is the patient
Yes No
shocked?
Resuscitation Slow Bolus
Airway +/- NG tube - 10mL/kg fluid* bolus over 30 min
Breathing 100% O2 Intravenous therapy
Circulation
- Calculate fluid requirements: dka-calculator.co.uk
- 10mL/kg fluid*
- Use fluid* with 40 mmol/L potassium (check serum
- Repeat until circulation restored Signs of cerebral oedema:
K+ in normal range and urine output first) - Headache, irritability
- By 40mL/kg discuss with senior - Slowing HR
- Start insulin at 0.05 or 0.1 Units/kg/hour 1-2 hours
doctor and consider inotropes - Reduced GCS / coma
after starting fluids - Signs of raised ICP
- Others as show on care pathway
Acidosis Features of
failing to cerebral
improve? Observations oedema?
- Hourly blood glucose - 1-2 hourly blood
ketones
- Hourly neuro obs and fluid balance Management of Cerebral Oedema
Management of Persisting Acidosis
- Check electrolytes at 2 hours, then 4 hourly
- Give 5mL/kg 2.7% Sodium
- Re-evalutate fluid balance - may Chloride OR 20% Mannitol 2.5 - 5
require further resus fluid
mL/kg
- Check insulin rate and running Blood
properly - Call senior staff
glucose
- Consider sepsis and other <14mmol/L - Restrict IV fluids by 50%
differentials as per care pathway - Refer to care pathway for further
- Consider restarting protocol actions
- Change fluids* to contain 5% glucose
Blood glucose * 0.9% Sodium Chloride or Plasmalyte 148
<6mmol/L - Continue monitoring as above
Management of Falling Blood Resolution of DKA
Glucose - Clinically well, tolerating oral fluids, blood ketones <1mmol/L or pH normal
- Change fluids* to contain 10% - Start S/C insulin THEN stop IV insulin 1 hour later
glucose
- Do not reduce insulin below 0.05
Units/kg/hour if ketones >1
mmol/L This algorithm is a summary of the main care pathway and should not be considered as a complete guide
- If glucose falls below 4mmol/L to the management of paediatric DKA.
refer to care pathway for
management of hypoglycaemia Refer to the main care pathway at the earliest opportunity by visiting dka-calculator.co.uk or the BSPED
guidelines page.