Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children

Abstract Objective To analyse clinical features and identify risk factors for brain injury in paediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), aiming to support early recognition and intervention. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 20 children with DKA-related brain injury and 14 children with DK...

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Main Authors: Bin Zhou, Weiwei Chen, Shengxin Zhang, Yukun Huang, Chunzhi Chen, Yali Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05927-8
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author Bin Zhou
Weiwei Chen
Shengxin Zhang
Yukun Huang
Chunzhi Chen
Yali Cai
author_facet Bin Zhou
Weiwei Chen
Shengxin Zhang
Yukun Huang
Chunzhi Chen
Yali Cai
author_sort Bin Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To analyse clinical features and identify risk factors for brain injury in paediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), aiming to support early recognition and intervention. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 20 children with DKA-related brain injury and 14 children with DKA without brain injury admitted to Xiamen Children’s Hospital between January 2022 and April 2024. Clinical data, laboratory findings, electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were reviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify influencing factors. Results Among the 20 children with DKA-related brain injury, 75% were girls, the median age was 7.3 years and 70% had severe DKA. Impaired consciousness was the primary symptom, presenting as lethargy (75%), dizziness (10%), somnolence (10%) and delirium (5%). Electroencephalography abnormalities were observed in 8 cases, and MRI changes were noted in 3 cases. Multivariate analysis identified a longer time to blood glucose stabilisation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014–1.080, P = 0.005) and elevated insulin levels (OR = 1.217, 95% CI: 1.048–1.413, P = 0.010) as independent risk factors. Higher pH (OR = 0.002, P = 0.003), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (OR = 0.790, P = 0.007), serum bicarbonate (OR = 0.836, P = 0.010) and base excess (OR = 0.665, P = 0.015) were found to be protective. Conclusions Brain injury in paediatric DKA is associated with delayed metabolic correction. Early monitoring and timely regulation of acid–base balance and glucose levels may reduce the risk and improve outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-d8a452b0f2a14da6ad25afab1fd7ccc82025-08-20T04:02:42ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-07-012511710.1186/s12887-025-05927-8Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in childrenBin Zhou0Weiwei Chen1Shengxin Zhang2Yukun Huang3Chunzhi Chen4Yali Cai5Department of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatric Intersive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen Children’s HospitalAbstract Objective To analyse clinical features and identify risk factors for brain injury in paediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), aiming to support early recognition and intervention. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 20 children with DKA-related brain injury and 14 children with DKA without brain injury admitted to Xiamen Children’s Hospital between January 2022 and April 2024. Clinical data, laboratory findings, electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were reviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify influencing factors. Results Among the 20 children with DKA-related brain injury, 75% were girls, the median age was 7.3 years and 70% had severe DKA. Impaired consciousness was the primary symptom, presenting as lethargy (75%), dizziness (10%), somnolence (10%) and delirium (5%). Electroencephalography abnormalities were observed in 8 cases, and MRI changes were noted in 3 cases. Multivariate analysis identified a longer time to blood glucose stabilisation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014–1.080, P = 0.005) and elevated insulin levels (OR = 1.217, 95% CI: 1.048–1.413, P = 0.010) as independent risk factors. Higher pH (OR = 0.002, P = 0.003), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (OR = 0.790, P = 0.007), serum bicarbonate (OR = 0.836, P = 0.010) and base excess (OR = 0.665, P = 0.015) were found to be protective. Conclusions Brain injury in paediatric DKA is associated with delayed metabolic correction. Early monitoring and timely regulation of acid–base balance and glucose levels may reduce the risk and improve outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05927-8Brain injuryChildrenDiabetesDiabetic ketoacidosisRisk factors
spellingShingle Bin Zhou
Weiwei Chen
Shengxin Zhang
Yukun Huang
Chunzhi Chen
Yali Cai
Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
BMC Pediatrics
Brain injury
Children
Diabetes
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Risk factors
title Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
title_full Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
title_fullStr Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
title_full_unstemmed Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
title_short Clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
title_sort clinical analysis of 20 cases of brain injury caused by diabetic ketoacidosis in children
topic Brain injury
Children
Diabetes
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05927-8
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