Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children with Type-1 Diabetes in a Tertiary Hospital in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria: Clinical Profile and Outcome

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Few reports are available on DKA among children in North-west Nigeria.

Objective: To describe the clinical profile and outcome of children managed for DKA in the Paediatric Endocrinology Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, North-western Nigeria over a ten-year period (January 2011- December 2020).

Methods: This was a retrospective review of the case records of all children managed for T1D between 2011 and 2020. Socio-demographic and clinical data of those with DKA were extracted and analysed using SPSS version 23.

Results: Ten (62.5%) out of 16 children with T1D had DKA, comprising 8 males and 2 females; M: F ratio 4:1. Majority (90%) were adolescents aged 10-15years. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) at diagnoses of T1D was 11.1 ± 3.14 years; DKA was the presenting manifestation of diabetes in 4 (40%) children, while 6(60%) were known diabetics with an average of 2-episodes per patient. The median duration of symptoms was 5 days (range 1-42 days). Abdominal pain (90%), polyuria (80%), fast breathing (70%), vomiting (70%), altered consciousness (70%), dehydration (100%) and Kussmaul respiration (70%) were the common presenting features. The mean blood glucose, bicarbonate and venous PH at admission were 23.28± 7.14 (range; 12.3-33.3) mmol/L, 14.1± 3.41 (10-21) mmol/L and 6.96± 0.06 (6.92-7.00) respectively. Co-morbid conditions included infections (80%), predominantly malaria (70%). There was no mortality.

Conclusion: DKA is common in male adolescents, with good management outcome in our facility. Abdominal pain, dehydration, polyuria and Kussmaul respiration were the commonest presenting features. A high index of suspicion of DKA is recommended in any child, particularly, male adolescents with the aforementioned features. Effort should be made to confirm diagnosis and prompt treatment instituted.