Variability in Emergency Management of Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Objectives: Our aim in this study was to identify pediatric patients presenting in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) who received initial treatment inconsistent with current guidelines and then to track associated complications.

Methods: This retrospective chart review examined 47 pediatric patients admitted to our institution with DKA, including those transferred from community hospitals. Primary outcome measures were exposure to treatment-related risk factors for cerebral edema (CE), including administration of an intravenous (IV) insulin bolus, IV bicarbonate, insulin within 1 hour of IV fluid start and non-NPO (nil per os) status.