Deciphering the role of lactate as a prognostic indicator in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis.

Introduction: Serum lactate levels have been recognized as a robust marker for predicting disease severity and survival in many critically ill children but consensus is lacking regarding its utility in diabetic ketoacidosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between initial lactate levels and disease severity in pediatric patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Methods: This single-center retrospective descriptive study involved pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis in the pediatric emergency department between January 2022 and April 2023.