Clinical features at the onset of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in Shenyang,China

Aim: To describe the clinical picture and laboratory features of Chinese children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The clinical and laboratory data of a total of 203 children who presented with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus during a 5‐year period (2004–2008) were retrospectively analysed based on hospital records. Results: There were 88 boys (43.3%) and 115 girls (56.7%) with a median age of 8.3 years. The age distribution was categorised as 0–4 years: 52 (25.6%), 5–9 years: 57 (28.1%) and 10–14 years: 94 (46.3%). We found a peak incidence rate in the older age group. No significant seasonality was observed. The most common symptoms were polydipsia, polyuria and weight loss. Eighty‐five (41.9%) of all patients presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The average duration of presenting symptoms before the hospital encounter was 24.5 days. Young age group children had shorter duration (17.1 days, P= 0.03) and significantly lower levels of C‐peptide (P= 0.003) and haemoglobin A1c (P= 0.049) than the other groups. Children with DKA had a higher incidence of preceding infections (P= 0.032), lower free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels (P= 0.035, 0.046), and higher white blood cell counts (P= 0.000) than the non‐DKA group. Conclusion: The duration between the onset of the symptoms and diagnosis was long, and the proportion of DKA in children with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was high. These findings call for a collaborative effort for the early recognition of symptoms by patients and physicians in order to avoid more severe types of presentation.     

Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes in children in Kuwait: frequency and clinical characteristics

Abdul‐Rasoul M, Al‐Mahdi M, Al‐Qattan H, Al‐Tarkait N, Alkhouly M, Al‐Safi R, Al‐Shawaf F, Mahmoud H. Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes in children in Kuwait: frequency and clinical characteristics. Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has significant morbidity and mortality, and is common at diagnosis in children. Objective: Describe the frequency and severity of DKA at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children in Kuwait. Methods: Hospital records of 677 diabetic children less than 12 yr of age, diagnosed during the period of 2000–2006 were reviewed. DKA was defined as blood glucose > 11 mmol/L, pH < 7.3, and/or bicarbonate < 15 mmol/L with ketonuria. Results: Of all patients diagnosed with T1DM, 255 (37.7%) presented with DKA. The frequency of DKA was constant between 2000 and 2002 (42.7–41.5%), but decreased in the following years to 30.7% in 2006 (p < 0.005). The majority had either mild or moderate DKA (74.1%). Fifty‐one (36.7%) of all children in the 0–4 yr had severe DKA compared to ten (2.9%) in the 5‐ to 8‐yr‐old group, and three (1.5%) in 9‐ to 12‐yr‐old patients (p < 0.0001). Moreover, 83% of children with severe DKA were in the 0–4 yr age group. One child (0.15%) died and twenty‐seven (4%) needed intensive care unit (ICU) care. Conclusion: Our study provides recent data on Middle Eastern population, for whom data are sparse. Although it has significantly decreased, the frequency of DKA at presentation of T1DM in children in Kuwait is still high, secondary to the high prevalence of diabetes in the community. Young children, especially those less than 2 yr old remain at high risk. Increasing the general awareness of the public as well as of pediatricians to the disease may lead to early diagnosis before the development of acidosis.     

Prävalenz von Ketoazidosen bei Manifestation des Diabetes mellitus Typ 1 in einem Zentrum für pädiatrische Diabetologie

Introduction. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is still the most serious complication of the newly diagnosed child with diabetes mellitus type 1 because it is still the most common cause of death due to cerebral edema. Methods. All patient records of children with new diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus in the children's hospital of the University of Leipzig in 1995 to 1999 were analysed retrospectively. Results. 31 patients (29,8%) had DKA, 10 of which were unconscious or somnolent. In those children and adolescents with DKA blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin levels and initial insulin requirement were higher and the duration of hospital stay was longer. The rate of remission was lower in the DKA group (67 vs. 80.8%). A delayed or false diagnosis was reported in 14% of patients without but in 22,5% of the children and adolescents with DKA. Conclusion. To improve the rate of remission and reduce the hospital stay at the onset of diabetes mellitus the rate of DKA must be reduced due to better information about symptoms of diabetes mellitus in the general population and especially among general practitioners and pediatricians.     

Characteristics at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children younger than 6 years

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prodrome, presentation, family history, and biochemical status at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in children under age 6 years. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective chart review of patients hospitalized at diagnosis with T1D from 1990 to 1999 in a children's hospital. RESULTS: A total of 247 children were hospitalized, 44% of whom presented in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). When stratified by 2-year age intervals, only total carbon dioxide (tCO(2)) was significantly lower in the youngest children (P = .02), and the duration of candidiasis was significantly longer in those children presenting in DKA (P = .004). Parents were more likely to recognize symptomatic hyperglycemia in children older than 2 years (P < .0001). Most parents sought care for their child suspecting that the child had diabetes; the other children were diagnosed when presenting with another concern. Only gender and tCO(2) were significantly correlated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c); age-adjusted HbA1c was 0.64% higher in girls compared with boys (P = .045), and each 1-mmol/L decrement in tCO(2) increased the age- and gender-adjusted HbA1c by 0.086% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of children under age 6 years present critically ill at the diagnosis of T1D. When any of the classic symptoms of diabetes or a yeast infection is present, a serum glucose level should be measured.     

Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children: a retrospective 20-year experience from a tertiary care hospital in Serbia

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has significant morbidity and mortality and is common at diagnosis in children. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of DKA over a 20-year period among children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at University children's hospital in Belgrade, Serbia. The study population comprised of 720 patients (366 boys) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged <18 years between January 1992 and December 2011. Of all patients diagnosed with T1DM, 237 (32.9 %) presented with DKA. The majority had either mild (69.6 %) or moderate (22.8 %) DKA. Sixty (55.0 %) of all children under 5 years had DKA compared to sixty-two (20.9 %) in the 5- to 10-year-old group and one hundred fifteen (36.6 %) in the 11- to 18-year-old patients (p?<?0.01), while 2.5 % of the entire DKA cohort were in real coma. During the later 10-year period, children less often had DKA at diagnosis compared with the earlier 10-year period (28.0 vs. 37.4 %) (p?<?0.01), but the frequency of severe DKA was higher in the age group <5 year and in the age group >11 year during 2002–2011, compared with the earlier 10-year period (12.9 vs. 3.4 %, p?<?0.01 and 17.1 vs. 3.8 %, p?<?0.01). Conclusion: The overall frequency of DKA in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes decreased over a 20-year period at our hospital. However, children aged <5 years and adolescents are still at high risk for DKA at diagnosis.     

A 2-yr national population study of pediatric ketoacidosis in Sweden: predisposing conditions and insulin pump use

Abstract:  The aim was to investigate triggering factors and insulin pump usage (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, CSII) at diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Data from 1999 and 2000 were collected retrospectively from Sweden. In 1999 and 2000, 7.4 and 11.0%, respectively, of children with diabetes used CSII. One hundred and forty-two episodes of DKA (pH < 7.30) were identified in 115 children (DKA at onset not included). Their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 10.1 ± 2.0%, age 14.6 ± 3.1 yr (range 1.5–19.9 yr), and diabetes duration 6.6 ± 3.5 yr (range 0.4–17.7 yr). Fourteen persons (seven girls) had more than one episode of DKA. Reported causes of DKA were missed insulin doses (48.6%), gastroenteritis (14.1%), technical pump problems (12.7%), infection (13.4%), social problems (1.4%), unknown (5.6%), and not stated (4.2%). Alcohol was involved in eight episodes and drugs in one. Thirty of 115 patients (19 girls) used insulin pumps. The overall DKA incidence was 1.4/100 patient years in 1999 and 1.7/100 patient years in 2000. For insulin pump users, the DKA incidence was 3.2/100 patient years in 1999 and 3.6/100 patient years in 2000. HbA1c at DKA admission was lower for CSII users than patients who used injections (9.1 ± 1.5 vs. 10.8 ± 2.2%, p < 0.01), but pH and age did not differ. CSII had been used for 6 months (median) before the DKA episode. In conclusion, the DKA frequency in CSII users was approximately twice that of patients who used injections. Seventy-seven percent of the episodes occurred within 1 yr after CSII start. The high number of events reported to be caused by gastroenteritis is alarming because this may reflect a misinterpretation of DKA symptoms.     

Clinical characteristics at presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children younger than 15 years in Croatia

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical and biochemical characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) at presentation in children younger than 15 years in Croatia during a 9-year period, with special attention to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) incidence. The registered data set comprised blood glucose, pH, serum bicarbonate levels, and clinical symptoms at disease manifestation. During the study period, 692 children were diagnosed with type 1 DM. Polydipsia (96.7%), polyuria (96.05%), and weight loss (82.7%) were the most frequent symptoms anticipating disease detection. Enuresis was recorded in 11.55%. A total of 36.41% patients had DKA (pH < 7.3) at disease onset. During the 9-year period, the percentage of children presenting with DKA at time of diagnosis decreased from 41.67% to 33.33% (z = 1.68, p = 0.046). A positive family history of DM, the only factor with an impact on the DKA incidence rate in our population, lowers the probability of the development of ketoacidosis. This study confirms the importance of the detection of the classic symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss in patients with new-onset type 1 DM. The percentage of patients with DKA at diabetes onset decreased during the observed period but is still high and includes one-third of all patients. This is why in every acutely ill child, especially at a younger age, one should evaluate the possibility of type 1 DM to avoid the development of ketoacidosis.     

Trends in diabetic ketoacidosis in childhood and adolescence: a 15-yr experience

Abstract: The number of episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a significant outcome measure for diabetes care. We ascertained patterns of admission due to DKA over 15 yr to determine whether this indicator of diabetes care had improved in parallel with clinical practices. Between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1999, 630 admissions were reviewed. We subanalyzed these admissions according to whether the patient was newly diagnosed, had infrequent episodes of DKA (non-relapsers) or had frequent (≥ 2/yr) episodes of DKA (relapsers). Overall there was a slight downward trend in the incidence of DKA admissions over the study period. There was a proportionate increase in the incidence of DKA amongst newly diagnosed patients, with a proportionate decrease in the incidence of DKA seen in relapsers. DKA occurring in non-relapsers remained relatively stable. Adverse clinical events during the admission were relatively uncommon and occurred in all three subgroups. There was no significant difference in HbA1C prior to admission between the relapser and non-relapser groups and there was similarity in the degree of acidosis between all three subgroups. The frequency of significant complications associated with DKA remained unchanged over the study period. Slower rehydration policies were not associated with decreases in either cerebral edema or death rates. DKA remains a significant complication of type 1 diabetes associated with a variety of significant adverse events. Our experience indicates that further efforts to reduce the occurrence of DKA must be focused upon earlier diagnosis and intervention in newly diagnosed patients.     

Young children (<5 yr) and adolescents (>12 yr) with type 1 diabetes mellitus have low rate of partial remission: diabetic ketoacidosis is an important risk factor

Objective:  To determine whether there are different rates of partial remission in preschool, school-age children, and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to identify clinical characteristics that are associated with increased rate of partial remission.
Design/methods:  A total of 152 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed T1DM in 2004 were studied. Clinical characteristics at diagnosis, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and total daily insulin dose (TDD) at 3-month interval follow-up for 1 yr were analyzed in each age-group (group 1, aged <5 yr; group 2, aged 5–12 yr; and group 3, aged >12 yr). Partial remission was defined as TDD <0.5 units/kg/d with HbA1C <8% assessed at 6 months after diagnosis.
Results:  Young children (group 1, 26.8%) and adolescents (group 3, 29%) had low rates of partial remission compared with school-age children (group 2, 56%, p = 0.002). There were no differences in the rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), autoantibody frequency, and HbA1C at diagnosis between age-groups. DKA at diagnosis was associated with less likelihood of having partial remission (p < 0.001). There were no associations between gender, autoantibodies, and HbA1C at diagnosis and the rate of partial remission.
Conclusions:  Young children and adolescent children with T1DM had a low rate of partial remission. Metabolic control was poorest in young children, whereas higher dose insulin in adolescents because of insulin resistance contributes to less likelihood of having partial remission. DKA at diagnosis was associated with low rate of partial remission. It is possible that the low frequency of honeymoon phase in young children reflects more aggressive beta-cell destruction in young children.     

The changing presentation of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Although it is known that the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in childhood is progressively increasing, it is less clear whether the presentation of newly diagnosed DM is changing. The aim of this study was to establish whether any biochemical or clinical presentation parameters have altered over time.
A retrospective study was performed comparing newly diagnosed children with DM in two 24 month time intervals, 8 yrs apart (1988–89 and 1995–96). Fifty-seven children were diagnosed with type 1 DM in 1988–89 and 70 children in 1995–96. At presentation, children born in the later cohort had a higher pH (p < 0.001) and lower serum glucose (p < 0.05). Although the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was higher in the 1988/89 cohort (63% vs. 42% in 1995/96) the absolute number of children with DKA in each time interval was similar (33 subjects in 1988–89 vs. 30 subjects in 1995/96). Islet cell antibody (ICA) levels were very different between the two cohorts; higher antibody levels were found in the 1988/89 group (p < 0.01). DKA was also associated with higher ICA titres (p < 0.05). Hospital admission stay decreased from 6.5 DS to 3.4 DS over the 8-year period (p < 0.0001).
At our institution, the presentation of children with type 1 D M is changing with many more children diagnosed before developing DKA. We speculate that a new environmental factor(s) may be responsible for the absolute increase in patients presenting without DKA, while older etiologies (both genetic and environmental) are responsible for the steady, unchanging number of patients with a more severe presentation. Greater awareness of diabetes in children is not the factor contributing to earlier diagnosis before DKA develops.     

Pancreatic enzyme elevations in children with diabetic ketoacidosis

The incidence of pancreatic enzyme elevations in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) compared with children with newly diagnosed diabetes without DKA was assessed in a prospective study. Pancreatic enzyme elevations, particularly hyperlipasemia, are common but not associated with significant symptomatology. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed in 2% of children with DKA.     

Factors associated with childhood diabetes manifesting as ketoacidosis and its severity]

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes in children in France is frequently diagnosed at the stage of ketoacidosis (DKA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed in a group of 72 children (mean age = 9.4 years) at onset of diabetes, in order to determine which factors were associated to DKA and to the severity of DKA (pH < 7.10) at diagnosis. RESULTS: Younger age was related to DKA (p = 0.03), but not to its severity. A lesser frequency of DKA was found in children with a family history of insulin-treated diabetes ( p = 0.04). Misdiagnosis was more frequently observed in children with DKA than in children without DKA (p = 0.02) and in case of severe DKA at admission by comparison with non severe cases (76 vs 23%; p = 0.002). Children in low economic intake families exhibited more frequently a severe DKA (77 vs 23%; p = 0.002) and were more frequently misdiagnosed before admission (48% vs 10%; p < 0.01). Urine strips for glucose and ketone determinations were underused for diagnosis before admission (15% only). CONCLUSION: Those results underline the need to both inform physicians and ameliorate the access to health care for low social class families, in order to take up the challenge of reducing the incidence of DKA at diagnosis in diabetic children in our country.     

Difficulties or mistakes in diagnosing type 1 diabetes in children?—demographic factors influencing delayed diagnosis

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) development in children with new‐onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is often the main consequence of delayed diagnosis. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of difficulties in T1DM diagnosis and to investigate if and how the demographic factors (gender, patient's age at presentation, family history of T1DM, level of maternal education, place of residence, and health service unit the patient called at) have any influence on diagnostic delays. Subjects and methods: Retrospective analysis of 474 children (243 boys—51.27% and 231 girls ?48.73%) with new‐onset T1DM aged below 17 yr and living in the Pomeranian region of Poland was carried out. The delay in diagnosis was recognized if the patient was not diagnosed on the first visit because of omission, wrong interpretation of main diabetic symptoms, exclusive treatment of additional signs, or concomitant diseases. Results: Difficulties in diagnosing T1DM were found in 67 cases (14.13%) and they are the main cause of DKA development in these children (p = 0.00). Among the examined demographic factors, mainly the patient's age at presentation has a significant influence on diagnostic delays (p = 0.01), especially in children below 2 yr (p = 0.00). Most frequently family doctors were responsible for wrong preliminary diagnosis. Conclusions: Difficulties in diagnosing T1DM are a significant cause of DKA development in children with new‐onset disease. Patient's age at presentation is the main risk factor of delayed diagnosis, especially in children below 2 yr. The increase in awareness among pediatricians concerning the possibility of T1DM development in children is needed.     

25-羟维生素D与儿童1型糖尿病及酮症酸中毒的相关性研究

目的探讨血清25-羟维生素D[25-(OH)D]水平与儿童1型糖尿病(T1DM)及酮症酸中毒(DKA)的相关性。方法选取2006年1月—2009年12月期间152例住院患儿,其中52例为首次发病的T1DM患儿,包括酮症酸中毒(DKA组)21例,以及非酮症酸中毒(非DKA组)31例,其余100例为非T1DM组。检测并比较三组患儿的血清25-(OH)D水平,分析血清25-(OH)D水平与儿童T1DM及DKA的相关性。结果 DKA组患儿的血清25-(OH)D平均为(53.6±27.8)nmol/L,显著低于非DKA组的(69.7±27.9)nmol/L和非T1DM组的(81.8±28.3)nmol/L(P<0.05);非DKA组患儿的血清25-(OH)D水平显著低于非T1DM组(P<0.05)。结论 T1DM患儿的血清25-(OH)D水平低,尤以DKA患儿最为明显,维生素D在儿童T1DM发病中的潜在保护效应值得关注。     

Delayed diagnosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Children with suspected type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should have same day referral to a paediatric diabetes team. 99 children (54 male; median age 10.5 years, range 0.9-15.9 years) were diagnosed with T1DM at our hospital between January 2004 and June 2007. 27 (27.2%) presented in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 37 (37.3%) required hospital admission, while the rest had ambulatory management. In 21 (21.2%) children, diagnosis was delayed >24 h (median 3.0 days, range 1-14 days) due to missed diagnosis at the local hospital (four) or by the general practitioner (seven), arranging a fasting blood glucose test (nine) and outpatient appointment requested via fax (one). Children with delayed diagnosis presented more frequently in DKA (52.3% vs 20.5%, p<0.01), with a higher median presenting HbA1c (12.3% vs 10.9%, p<0.05). There were no differences in age and sex between the delayed diagnosis and immediate referral groups. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the importance of immediate referral of children newly diagnosed with T1DM.     

Diabetic Ketoasidosis is Associated with Prothrombotic Tendency in Children

Children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus (DM) may present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological parameters at diagnosis (0th hour) and 96th hour after the initiation of treatment in children with DKA. Twenty-six children with DKA treated in Dicle University Faculty of Medicine between September 2002 and August 2003 were included in this study. General characteristics of the patients and hematological parameters (platelet count, white blood cell count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), bleeding time, coagulation time, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, fibrinogen, D-dimer, factor VIII, factor IX, and factor X levels) at diagnosis (0th hour) and 96th hour after the initiation of treatment were determined. The mean age of the children (10 girls and 16 boys) was 9.15 ± 3.85 years (range: 4–15 years). DKA developed for the first time in 58.3% of these children and they had recently been diagnosed as DM. After hematological parameters at 0th hour were evaluated, increased platelet count, decreased PTT, low protein C, and high factor VIII levels were determined at diagnosis, indicating prothrombotic tendency. If the hematological parameters at 0th hour were compared with those at 96th hour; platelet count decreased, PTT increased, protein C and factor VIII levels turned to be normal at 96th hour. When all the results are considered together, children with DKA appeared to have a prothrombotic tendency. Although this tendency was not reflected in clinical findings in this study, it should be kept in mind that children with DKA are prone to the development of thrombosis and they need to be investigated for the possibility of thrombosis.     

Diabetic ketoasidosis is associated with prothrombotic tendency in children

Children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus (DM) may present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological parameters at diagnosis (0th hour) and 96th hour after the initiation of treatment in children with DKA. Twenty-six children with DKA treated in Dicle University Faculty of Medicine between September 2002 and August 2003 were included in this study. General characteristics of the patients and hematological parameters (platelet count, white blood cell count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), bleeding time, coagulation time, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, fibrinogen, D-dimer, factor VIII, factor IX, and factor X levels) at diagnosis (0th hour) and 96th hour after the initiation of treatment were determined. The mean age of the children (10 girls and 16 boys) was 9.15 ± 3.85 years (range: 4-15 years). DKA developed for the first time in 58.3% of these children and they had recently been diagnosed as DM. After hematological parameters at 0th hour were evaluated, increased platelet count, decreased PTT, low protein C, and high factor VIII levels were determined at diagnosis, indicating prothrombotic tendency. If the hematological parameters at 0th hour were compared with those at 96th hour; platelet count decreased, PTT increased, protein C and factor VIII levels turned to be normal at 96th hour. When all the results are considered together, children with DKA appeared to have a prothrombotic tendency. Although this tendency was not reflected in clinical findings in this study, it should be kept in mind that children with DKA are prone to the development of thrombosis and they need to be investigated for the possibility of thrombosis.     

Prevalence and characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in 9-18 year-old children with diabetic ketoacidosis

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in 9-18 year-old children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to describe the presenting biochemical characteristics and response to standardized DKA treatment. METHODS: Data were collected from a consecutive sample of 9-18 year-old children presenting with DKA. DKA was defined as hyperglycemia and ketosis with an initial pH <7.3, or bicarbonate <15 mmol/l. Patients were classified as having DM2 if they had negative autoantibody status and normal or elevated fasting C-peptide. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM2 in patients with DKA was 13.0% (6.1-23.3%). There was no significant difference in the presenting pH (7.14 vs 7.15), but blood glucose was higher (735 vs 587 mg/dl) in patients with DM2, than in patients with type 1 DM (DM1). The duration of insulin infusion until resolution of acidosis (17.3 vs 13.2 h) and intensive care unit stay (2.4 vs 1.6 days) were longer in patients with DM2. Seven of the nine patients with DM2 did not require insulin at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Children with DM2 can present with DKA and constitute a significant percentage in the above 9-year age group. The need for insulin must be carefully re-evaluated as DKA resolves in these patients. Adolescents with DM2 and their families need to be educated about DKA.     

Increased incidence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis among uninsured children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: (a) To determine the incidence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and (b) to stratify according to insurance status at the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects included children <18 yr who presented with new-onset T1DM from January 2002 to December 2003 and were subsequently followed at the Barbara Davis Center. Insurance status and initial venous pH were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 383 subjects presented with new-onset T1DM and 359 (93.7%) were enrolled. Forty-three (12.0%) of these children were uninsured and 40 (11.1%) had Medicaid. One hundred and two (28.4%) subjects presented with DKA. When compared to the insured subjects, uninsured subjects had a significantly increased risk of presenting with DKA [odds ratios (OR): 6.19, 95% CI 3.04-12.60, p < 0.0001], as well as presenting with severe DKA, defined as venous pH <7.10 (OR: 6.09, 95% CI 3.21-11.56, p < 0.0001). There were no differences, however, between the insured and Medicaid subjects in their probability of presenting with DKA or severe DKA. The risk of presenting with DKA (as well as with severe DKA) was the highest among patients <4 yr old. CONCLUSIONS: At the time of initial diagnosis, uninsured patients were more likely to present with DKA than insured patients. Furthermore, when the uninsured subjects presented with DKA, the condition tended to be more severe and life-threatening. A potential explanation is that uninsured subjects may delay seeking timely medical care, thereby presenting more critically ill, whereas insured subjects may have their T1DM diagnosed earlier.     

Serum interleukin-18 levels are raised in diabetic ketoacidosis in Chinese children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of serum interleukin (IL-18) in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DESIGN: Case-control study. SUBJECTS: Sixty-one children with T1DM including 28 with DKA and 33 without DKA and 30 age - and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. METHODS: Serum IL-18, IL-12, and IFN-gamma levels were measured in all subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients with DKA than those in patients without DKA (759.2 +/- 353.8 pg/mL vs. 634.9 +/- 399.7 pg/mL, P = 0.001) and healthy controls (310.0 +/- 265.3 pg/mL). The serum IL-12 and IFN-gamma levels were not different between patients and controls (277.5 +/- 207 pg/mL vs. 351.4 +/- 223.4 pg/mL, P = 0.45 and 7.02 +/- 7.53 pg/mL vs. 5.59 +/- 5.34 pg/mL, P = 0.21, respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum IL-18 levels are increased in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and could be a predictor of diabetic ketoacidosis.