DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS: FREQUENCY AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ADMITTED AT AL-THAWRA HOSPITAL, ALBAIDA- LIBYA (2016-2017)

*Dr. Najwa H. Abduljawad and Dr Abdalla Saad Abdalla Al-Zawi

ABSTRACT

DKA is the a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with diabetes mellitus, it characterized by a biochemical triad of hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia (ketonuria) and academia. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of DKA in newly discovered diabetes, and in established cases, and to describe the clinical characteristics of DKA among these patients. 95 children & adolescents admitted to PICU, Al-Thawra Hospital in Albaida-Libya with DKA between [January 2016 and December 2017] were reviewed. 42 patients (44%) were newly discovered diabetes, and 53 patients (56%) were well established diabetes. Male to female ratio was (1 : 2.8). The common leading precipitating factors for DKA in our study were psycho-social causes and infection which observed in 49%, and 31% respectively. While the common presenting symptoms of DKA noticed in the study were: abdominal pain and vomiting in (98%) and (87%) respectively. DKA is an important cause of PICU admissions to Al-Thawra Hospital in Albaida-Libya, more effort should be put to prevent and reduce the incidence of DKA at initial presentation and later.

Keywords: Diabetic ketoacidosis; children and adolescents, Diabetes Mellitus.