A previously healthy -year-old boy is evaluated in the emergency department for a -hour history of severe abdominal pain, intractable vomiting, and progressive somnolence. His parents report that he has been drinking an unusual amount of water and waking up multiple times at night to urinate over the past month. He has lost during this time. On presentation, he is lethargic but arousable. Respirations are deep and rapid at , heart rate is , and blood pressure is . His mucous membranes are markedly dry. Capillary refill is .
Initial laboratory results:
| Laboratory Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Serum sodium | |
| Serum potassium | |
| Serum chloride | |
| Serum bicarbonate | |
| Blood glucose | |
| Venous pH |
He receives a intravenous bolus of normal saline. A continuous intravenous insulin infusion and normal saline at maintenance rates are initiated.
Three hours later, the patient is awake, alert, and reports feeling hungry. His heart rate is , and blood pressure is . Repeat laboratory studies show:
| Laboratory Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Serum bicarbonate | |
| Blood glucose | |
| Venous pH |
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
- Add dextrose to the current intravenous fluidsCevap
- BTransition from intravenous to subcutaneous insulin
- CAdminister intravenous sodium bicarbonate
- DDecrease the rate of the continuous insulin infusion
- EAdminister a second bolus of normal saline
Cevap
Add dextrose to the current intravenous fluids
The most appropriate next step is to add dextrose to the intravenous fluids. In the management of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), continuous intravenous insulin is required to suppress lipolysis, halt ketogenesis, and resolve the metabolic acidosis. Acidosis resolution is typically defined by an anion gap , a venous pH , and a serum bicarbonate . This patient's repeat pH of and bicarbonate of demonstrate ongoing ketoacidosis, meaning the insulin infusion must continue. However, because blood glucose drops faster than ketone clearance, glucose levels frequently fall below before the acidosis resolves. To prevent iatrogenic hypoglycemia while allowing the insulin drip to continue clearing ketones, or dextrose must be added to the intravenous maintenance fluids.
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In pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis, when blood glucose falls below but anion gap acidosis persists, dextrose should be added to the intravenous fluids to allow continuation of the insulin infusion.