Simultaneous acute cerebral and pulmonary edema complicating ih ketoacidosis. Last Reviewed: December 30, Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mayes PA, Silvers A, Prendergast JJ.

DKA symptoms and diabetic ketoacidosis in children -

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Diabetic ketoacidosis usually happens after: An illness.

An infection or other illness can cause the body to make higher levels of certain hormones, such as adrenaline or cortisol. These hormones work against the effects of insulin and sometimes cause diabetic ketoacidosis.

Pneumonia and urinary tract infections are common illnesses that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. A problem with insulin therapy. Missed insulin treatments can leave too little insulin in the body. Not enough insulin therapy or an insulin pump that doesn't work right also can leave too little insulin in the body.

Any of these problems can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Other things that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis include: Physical or emotional trauma Heart attack or stroke Pancreatitis Pregnancy Alcohol or drug misuse, particularly cocaine Certain medicines, such as corticosteroids and some diuretics.

The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis is highest if you: Have type 1 diabetes Often miss insulin doses Sometimes, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur with type 2 diabetes.

Possible complications of the treatments Treatment complications include: Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Insulin allows sugar to enter cells. This causes the blood sugar level to drop. If the blood sugar level drops too quickly, the drop can lead to low blood sugar. Low potassium, also known as hypokalemia.

The fluids and insulin used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis can cause the potassium level to drop too low. A low potassium level can affect the heart, muscles and nerves. To avoid this, potassium and other minerals are usually given with fluid replacement as part of the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Swelling in the brain, also known as cerebral edema. Adjusting the blood sugar level too quickly can cause the brain to swell. This appears to be more common in children, especially those with newly diagnosed diabetes. Untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, death.

There are many ways to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and other diabetes complications. Manage your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine.

Take diabetes medicines or insulin as directed. Monitor your blood sugar level. You might need to check and record your blood sugar level at least 3 to 4 times a day, or more often if you're ill or stressed.

Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level stays within your target range. Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. Talk to your health care provider or diabetes educator about how to make your insulin dosage work for you.

Consider factors such as your blood sugar level, what you eat, how active you are, and whether you're ill. If your blood sugar level begins to rise, follow your diabetes treatment plan to return your blood sugar level to your target range.

Check your ketone level. When you're ill or stressed, test your urine for excess ketones with a urine ketones test kit. You can buy test kits at a drugstore. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your health care provider right away or seek emergency care.

If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin. Be prepared to act quickly. If you think you have diabetic ketoacidosis because your blood sugar is high and you have too many ketones in your urine, seek emergency care. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Oct 06, Show References.

DKA ketoacidosis and ketones. American Diabetes Association. Accessed Sept. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA. Merck Manual Professional Version. Hirsch IB, et al. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Treatment. Ferri FF. Diabetic ketoacidosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Evans K. Diabetic ketoacidosis: Update on management.

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Early recognition can help lessen the severity of DKA in a child and possibly save a child's life. The nationally recognized diabetes program at Children's Health offers around-the-clock care for children with diabetes.

Learn how our experts can help diagnose and treat diabetes in children of all ages. Children's Health will not sell, share or rent your information to third parties. Please read our privacy policy. Discover what's new in diabetes care and hormonal health.

Sign up for the monthly newsletter from the Endocrinology team at Children's Helath. View, download, or print as a pdf file opens in a new window. View, download, or print as a hi-res. jpg opens in a new window. X Facebook Linked In Email. What is diabetic ketoacidosis? What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?

Frequent urination — High blood sugar levels cause your child to urinate more than usual. However, frequent urination can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection. To determine if it is DKA, a physician can check a urine sample for glucose and ketones.

Increased thirst — Because your child is urinating more often, they may feel dehydrated and thirstier than usual. You might think your child is peeing more because they are drinking more, but in the case of DKA, the opposite is true.

Increased hunger — When your child has high blood sugar levels, the body loses sugar through the urine, so they don't get enough calories. Because they are absorbing fewer calories, they may feel extra hungry. However, this is not always the case, and some children eat less because they feel sick.

Unexplained weight loss — Even though your child may eat and drink a lot, they may lose weight because they cannot absorb the sugars they're eating, and their body may be breaking down fat for energy.

Flu-like symptoms — As the above symptoms get worse, your child may begin feeling sick.

Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA is life-threatening—learn the warning signs DDKA be prepared for any situation. DKA diaetic caused by an overload of ketones Citrus fruit for immune system in your blood. When your DKA symptoms and diabetic ketoacidosis in children don't ln the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that the body creates when it breaks down fat to use for energy. When ketones build up in the blood, they make it more acidic. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting sick.