Introduction: We compare in-hospital complications in youth with isolated diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) to youth with hyperosmolarity.
Method: We reviewed medical records of youth (1-20 years) admitted over two years with DKA, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), and hyperosmolar DKA. We evaluated outcomes, including hospital length of stay, altered mental status (AMS), and acute kidney injury (AKI).
Results: Of 369 admissions, 334 had isolated DKA, 32 had hyperosmolar DKA, and three had isolated HHS. Hyperosmolar youth had longer length of stay, larger initial fluid boluses, more frequent pediatric intensive care unit admissions, and increased risk of AKI and AMS. The odds of AKI were positively associated with serum osmolality and negatively associated with new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with established DM.
Conclusions: In youth with DM, hyperosmolarity increases acute complications compared with isolated DKA. Larger-scale studies are needed to identify ways to prevent acute complications in youth experiencing hyperglycemic emergencies.
Keywords: Diabetic ketoacidosis; hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state; hyperosmolar diabetic ketoacidosis.
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