Diabetic ketoacidosis and its complications among children.

In order to recognize of DKA and its complications among children with DM type I, we conducted a descriptive study and all of the children with the final diagnosis of DKA. Data regarding their demographics, disease characteristics, treatment features and outcome derived from patients' medical files and registered in a data sheet. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 and exhibited in the form of frequency tables and charts. There were 33 females and 30 males (53.1% and 46.9%, respectively). They were involved with ketoacidosis most commonly in summer (42.2%). Autumn, winter and spring seasons were in the next turns (29.7%, 15.6%, and 12.5%, respectively). Data analysis showed a clear improvement in the time taken to correct the acidosis with respect to the date of admission (more than 40 hours in the initial year to less than 28 hours at the final year). It seems that the management of diabetic ketoacidosis has improved during recent years. We concluded to consider ketoacidosis even in the first admission of a diabetic child.