Children with diabetes may face obstacles from time to time when it comes to managing blood sugar levels and living with diabetes. One such obstacle they may face is diabetic ketoacidosis. Although treatable, it is a serious issue where awareness and recognizing the warning signs can make all the difference.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a serious complication of diabetes that left untreated can be life-threatening. DKA is caused by a lack of insulin in the body. When your body doesn’t get enough insulin to break down glucose for energy, it will begin to burn fat instead—which produces a chemical called ketones.
“Ketones are the by-product that is released when your body burns fat for energy when it doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose,” said Rachel Calendo, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and diabetes program manager with Banner Children's. “When ketones build up in your blood, they can make you very sick. You can have abdominal pain, throw-up, be tired and confused. Too many ketones can cause DKA.”
When does DKA occur?
DKA is more common in children with type 1 diabetes, but it can also occur in children with type 2 diabetes.
“For some children, DKA may be the first indication they have diabetes,” Calendo said. “After initial diagnosis, other causes for DKA include illness, missed insulin doses, or using insulin that’s gone bad.”
Five warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis to look out for in children
DKA can be difficult to differentiate from other illnesses. However, recognizing the signs early on can help lessen the severity of DKA and possibly save your child’s life. Here are some distinct warning signs of DKA to look out for:
- Excessive thirst: Your child may feel dehydrated or thirstier than normal.
- Frequent urination: Your child is needing to pee more than normal.
- Unexplained weight loss: Your child loses weight over several weeks.
- Exhaustion: Your child is feeling tired and very sleepy.
- Vomiting: Your child may show flu-like symptoms with stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
“DKA is serious and even potentially life-threatening,” Calendo said. “Parents shouldn’t ignore these symptoms and should seek care from their child’s healthcare provider or take them to the ER.”
How to prevent DKA
The best way to prevent DKA is to help your child control their diabetes. To learn more information about pediatric diabetes and the resources available when it comes to caring for a child with either type of diabetes, call Banner’s diabetes education team at (480) 827-5370.
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