Title:Characteristics and Outcomes of Children with Type-I Diabetes Mellitus Hospitalized for Ketoacidosis
Volume: 16
Issue: 7
Author(s): Roza Zinab Ababulgu and Behailu Terefe Tesfaye*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma,Ethiopia
Keywords:
Characteristics, outcomes, diabetic ketoacidosis, children, diabetes mellitus, type-I, Jimma university.
Abstract:
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a common autoimmune disorder that often presents
in children. In these patients, diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the most common and serious acute complications
associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, limited studies are conducted
in Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess patient-related characteristics and outcomes of diabetic
ketoacidosis, and their relative difference among children with newly diagnosed and previously known
type-I diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 63 type-1 diabetes patients admitted for ketoacidosis
at Jimma university medical center, a tertiary hospital. Data was collected using a checklist,
and entered into Epidata 4.2.0.0 and analyzed using STATA 13.0. Descriptive statistics was performed;
Mann-Whitney and Chi-square test statistics were employed for comparison.
Result: Of the total, 39 were newly diagnosed type-I diabetes patients. Polydipsia and Polyuria (each in
74.6%) were the predominant symptoms at presentation. ketoacidosis precipitants were undocumented
in the majority of the patients (53.97%). Mean (±SD) Random blood sugar was 434.05 (±117.62)mg/dl.
Ketoacidosis was mild in severity in 63.49%. Family history of diabetes, unknown precipitants and the
first episode of ketoacidosis were significantly different among the new and known type-I diabetes patients.
No mortality was documented.
Conclusion: The observed patient characteristics are typical of those reported in many studies and
standard resources. Despite no mortality was documented, the need for early diagnosis and management
should not be overlooked. Further study, with large sample size, is recommended to point-out the
real characteristics difference among new and known type-I diabetes mellitus patients admitted for ketoacidosis.
