The effect of dehydration, hyperchloremia and volume of fluid resuscitation on acute kidney injury in children admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis

Risk factors of acute kidney injury in children with diabetic ketoacidosis

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in pediatric patients has been linked to unfavorable short-term and long-term health outcomes. Despite the significance of AKI awareness in children with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D), the incidence of AKI in children admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has been under looked.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pediatric patients hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and to identify the clinical and biochemical markers associated with the development of AKI.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 373 children aged 18 years or younger from 2012 to 2022 with complete medical records available for analysis. We collected baseline and diabetes characteristics, in addition to clinical variables at presentation. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed using the serum creatinine criteria established by the kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization. Descriptive comparisons were performed. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify potential risk factors associated with the development of AKI.

RESULTS

299 patients (80.2%) developed AKI including 98 (26.3%) stage 1, and 118 (31.6%) stage 2 and 83 (22.3%) stage 3. The frequency of AKI was higher in patients with severe DKA (26.9% vs. 19.7%, p=0.01) while in mild DKA the percentage of AKI was less than non-AKI (31.9% vs. 45.1%, p<0.01The median last HbA1C prior to DKA presentation was 12%, and majority (88.2%) had DKA episodes in past. children who developed AKI had a significantly higher median heart rate (120 bpm, IQR 104-138) compared to those without AKI (108 bpm, IQR 98-124, p<0.01). A high percentage of children with AKI had low Glasgow coma scale (<15) compared to non-AKI (5.7% vs. 1.7%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.22). Half of the children presented with DKA had poor outpatient follow up visits. The proven infections were observed in 53 (14.2%) children in DKA. It was higher in non-AKI group compared to AKI group (15.1% vs. 10.8%, p=0.46). At the time of discharge 131 (44%) patients with AKI showed persistent acute kidney disease. We did not observe mortality. Children with AKI had longer hospital stay compared to non-AKI (4 days vs. 3 days, p=0.02). None of the study participant have died during the studied hospital encounters.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that AKI is common in children admitted with DKA. Longer duration and poor controlled T1D; previous episodes of DKA, severe DKA, infection and higher heart rate are risk factors to develop AKI. At the time of discharge, 131 (44%) patients AKI showed persistent acute kidney disease (AKD). The longer hospital stay in children with AKI highlights the significant morbidity of AKI.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Risk Factors, Myths, and Evidence-Based Management of Complications

Purpose

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common condition among type 1 diabetics, commonly affecting those below the age of 20.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases like PubMed to identify primary studies conducted in children with DKA. Finally, 79 studies were included for qualitative synthesis.

Results

The disease is characterized by acute-onset metabolic and pathological derangements, necessitating immediate intervention. With the rising incidence, concerns have been emerging regarding the disparities in the presentation and treatment of DKA among different countries with inequitable resources. Within its management lies the common misconceptions, both among patients and primary physicians, prohibiting an optimistic approach to the disease. Pediatric children in particular need specialized treatment and care during an episode of DKA due to its long-term cognitive and neurological sequelae. Hence, efforts have been undertaken to ensure minimization of neurological damage when treating DKA. While guidelines are in place for treatment of DKA, there are considerable differences in their protocols across different regions.

Conclusion

It is imperative to analyze recent evidence and continually update treatment guidelines for DKA. Additionally, maximal efforts need to be taken to bridge the gap between different nations, allowing accessibility to equitable resources to all.

Imbalance of Myoinositol and D-Chiro-Inositol in Saliva of Children With Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

Earlier work suggests Myoinositol (MI) and D-chiro- inositol (DCI) imbalance in urine and plasma of diabetic patients, and their potential for monitoring insulin resistance. This study aimed to assess levels of Myoinositol (MI) and D-chiro- inositol (DCI) in saliva of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1) and controls, to verify if concentrations of MI and DCI are similarly altered in saliva, exploring their potential for monitoring DM-1.

DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

This cross-sectional clinical study enroled 45 patients (DM-1, n = 25; Controls, n = 20). Children aged 3-12 years with fasting blood glucose levels > 126 mg/dL, and HbA1c levels > 7%. Saliva was collected, and salivary measurements included pH, flow rates and concentrations of MI, DCI and glucose, employing high-performance liquid chromatography. Periodontal health was assessed using bleeding and plaque indices.

RESULTS

Children with DM-1 showed elevated MI (p = 0.001), reduced DCI (p = 0.001), and increased MI-DCI ratio (p = 0.001). The MI-DCI ratio was elevated by 16-fold among diabetic children. Plaque (p = 0.003) and gingival bleeding (p = 0.001) were higher in DM-1 than controls. The MI increased the odds of an outcome of DM-1 by 174%, while DCI reduced the odds by 63%, highlighting their strong and opposing effects on DM-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with DM-1 express higher MI and lower DCI levels, while non-diabetic children show an inversion of these concentrations. Inositol imbalance in saliva of diabetic children resembles previous results in urine, and represents a possible venue for monitoring this disease, paving the way for future investigations into salivary inositols.

Is there a relationship between hyperchloremia status and the risk of developing acute kidney injury in pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with profound hypovolemia and reduced renal perfusion. Results regarding hyperchloremia-associated AKI in patients with DKA are conflicting; we therefore investigated the potential relationship between hyperchloremia status and the risk of developing AKI. This single-center cohort study included 113 newly diagnosed T1DM patients with DKA admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Laboratory parameters, including Na, K, urea, creatinine, and chloride levels, were retrospectively reviewed at the time of presentation and at 12, 24 and 36 h. AKI was defined using the eGFR according to the pediatric RIFLE classification criteria. Twenty-two (19.5%) of the 113 patients were in the AKI group. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant (P values ≤ 0.01) time interaction effects within the groups based on the eGFR and the serum chloride, hyperchloremia, and phosphate levels. Serum chloride levels did not differ between the groups during the first 12 h (p > 0.05) but were significantly greater in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group at 24 h and 36 h (p < 0.01). The final DKA resolution time was significantly greater in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group [22.2 (9.5) vs. 17.0 (12.0) h, respectively; p = 0.03]. However, the groups had similar lengths of hospital stay [13.0 (8.0) days vs. 12.0 (4.0) days, respectively; p = 0.17].Conclusions: Hyperchloremia may be iatrogenic rather than causative during treatment. This may worsen renal failure and prolong the recovery and treatment time for DKA patients. What is Known? • Acute kidney injury resulting from severe volume depletion is a common occurrence in diabetic ketoacidosis and typically requires significant volume replacement therapy. • In recent years, hyperchloremia has been associated with increased risks of AKI, morbidity, and mortality in some conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. What is New? • The incidence of hyperchloremia increases over time during the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. • Hyperchloremia may be an iatrogenic element rather than a cause of acute kidney injury during the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.