Pediatric DKA: Don't Fear the Fluids

Overview

Why do we fear fluids in pediatric DKA patients? Do they really cause cerebral edema or is that just what you’ve been taught for years? Did you know that with each episode of DKA children lose some memory? 

In this episode of EMRA*CAST, Dr. Jessie Werner speaks with Dr. Nathan Kuppermann about ground-breaking research in Pediatric DKA. Learn the dos and don’ts of DKA management in children and understand why you should embrace the fluids! 

Key Points

• DKA: pH<7.25 or bicarb <15 with ketones in the urine 
• Pediatric DKA patients who develop cerebral edema don’t do so because of fluids, but because they are SICKER
• Several risk factors have been identified for developing cerebral edema:
• higher BUN (greater dehydration)
• lower bicarb (worsening acidosis)
• bicarbonate administration
• serum sodium not rising as expected as glucose went down
• The brain in DKA is dehydrated and inflammatory markers are elevated. Brain reperfusion can result in vasogenic edema (similar to what is seen in stroke patients)
• When rehydrating DKA patients:
  • replace this 4L over 48 hours in addition to maintenance fluids (4:2:1 rule)
• Calculate the fluid deficit (assume 7-10% and base this on body weight)
• example: 40-kg child who is 10% dehydrated is 4L down 
• if you suspect cerebral edema, do not wait to initiate treatment

References

• Kuppermann N, Ghetti S, Schunk JE, et al. Clinical trial of fluid infusion rates for pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:2275-2287.
• Glaser NS, Ghetti S, Casper TC, Dean JM, Kuppermann N, Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) DKA FLUID Study Group. Pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis, fluid therapy, and cerebral injury: the design of a factorial randomized controlled trial. Pediatr Diabetes. 2013;14(6):435–446.
• Glaser NS, Wootten-Gorges SL, Marcin JP, et al. Mechanism of cerebral edema in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. J Pediatr. 2004;145:164-171.
• Glaser N, Barnett P, McCaslin I, et al. Risk factors for cerebral edema in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(4):264-269.
• Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) http://www.pecarn.org/