Delayed referral is common even when new-onset diabetes is suspected in children. A Swedish prospective observational study of diabetic ketoacidosis at onset of Type 1 diabetes

Exploring ketoacidosis frequency and risk factors in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes: an 8-year retrospective study (2011-2018) at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Tripoli, Libya

OBJECTIVES

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) stands as a critical, acute complication of type 1 diabetes. Despite its severity, there exists a dearth of data concerning the frequency and prevalence of DKA at the onset of type 1 diabetes in Libyan children. This study aimed to ascertain the frequency of DKA during the initial presentation of type 1 diabetes among children aged 0.5-14 years admitted to Tripoli Children's Hospital between 2011 and 2018.

METHODS

Employing a retrospective approach, the study examined the proportion of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes who presented with DKA. Data analysis included estimating DKA frequency concerning age at presentation, sex, and age groups. The comparative analysis involved assessing DKA frequency between 0.5 and <2 and 2-14 years age groups. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the impact of age group, sex, and family history of type 1 diabetes on DKA and severe DKA occurrence.

RESULTS

Among 497 children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, 39.2 % presented with DKA, of these 44.5 % had severe DKA. Females exhibited a higher DKA rate than males (OR 1.63, 95 % CI 1.13-2.34, p=0.009). Very young children (0.5 to <2 years) presented with DKA more frequently than those aged 2-14 years (OR 4.73, 95 % CI 2.65-8.47, p<0.001), and they were more likely to present in severe DKA (63.9 vs. 39.1 %, [OR 7.26, 95 % CI 3.65-14.41, p<0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of DKA at type 1 diabetes onset among children admitted to Tripoli Children's Hospital is notably high, with nearly half of the DKA episodes categorized as severe. Very young children notably demonstrated a fivefold increase in the likelihood of presenting with DKA.

Consensus guidance for monitoring individuals with islet autoantibody-positive pre-stage 3 type 1 diabetes

Given the proven benefits of screening to reduce diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) likelihood at the time of stage 3 type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and emerging availability of therapy to delay disease progression, type 1 diabetes screening programmes are being increasingly emphasised. Once broadly implemented, screening initiatives will identify significant numbers of islet autoantibody-positive (IAb+) children and adults who are at risk of (confirmed single IAb+) or living with (multiple IAb+) early-stage (stage 1 and stage 2) type 1 diabetes. These individuals will need monitoring for disease progression; much of this care will happen in non-specialised settings. To inform this monitoring, JDRF in conjunction with international experts and societies developed consensus guidance. Broad advice from this guidance includes the following: (1) partnerships should be fostered between endocrinologists and primary-care providers to care for people who are IAb+; (2) when people who are IAb+ are initially identified there is a need for confirmation using a second sample; (3) single IAb+ individuals are at lower risk of progression than multiple IAb+ individuals; (4) individuals with early-stage type 1 diabetes should have periodic medical monitoring, including regular assessments of glucose levels, regular education about symptoms of diabetes and DKA, and psychosocial support; (5) interested people with stage 2 type 1 diabetes should be offered trial participation or approved therapies; and (6) all health professionals involved in monitoring and care of individuals with type 1 diabetes have a responsibility to provide education. The guidance also emphasises significant unmet needs for further research on early-stage type 1 diabetes to increase the rigour of future recommendations and inform clinical care.

Association of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Childhood New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes With Day of Presentation in Germany

OBJECTIVE

Whether the day of the week on which the child presents affects timely diagnosis and risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) is not known.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used data of 30,717 children with new-onset T1D during the last 10 years from the German Prospective Diabetes Registry. We determined the odds ratios of T1D diagnosis and DKA on a weekday, public holiday, and school vacation.

RESULTS

Compared with workdays, the odds ratios of being diagnosed with T1D were lower on weekends (0.39 [95% CI, 0.38-0.41]), public holidays (0.57 [0.53-0.63]), and school vacations (0.83 [0.80-0.85]). The odds of DKA diagnosis were also reduced on weekends (0.55 [0.52-0.59]), public holidays (0.73 [0.63-0.84]), and school vacations (0.85 [0.80-0.90]). Results did not change during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

New-onset T1D and DKA in children are more often diagnosed during weekdays than weekends and holidays.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes as Experienced by Adults with Prolonged Elevated HbA1c: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION

High HbA1c levels in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are associated with increased risk of micro- and macrovascular complications and severe diabetes distress. A more comprehensive understanding of the adult perspective of living with T1D can improve the quality of care. We aimed to describe experiences of living with T1D as an adult with prolonged elevated HbA1c.

METHODS

Thirteen adults with T1D and HbA1c > 60 mmol/mol (7.6%) for at least 1 year were individually interviewed via a digital platform. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis identified an overarching theme, "a lifelong follower", and generated two main categories describing study participants' experience: constraining and manageable. Constraining experiences were explained in obligated control, loss of control, environmental impact, and consequences of diabetes. Manageable experiences were described in everyday life, approach to diabetes, and support in life. Diabetes knowledge in health care and in the general public, and individualized care were important factors in feeling understood, safe, and supported.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings revealed the diverse experiences of adults with prolonged elevated HbA1c. Living with T1D, a lifelong non-chosen follower, could be perceived as constraining but manageable in different degrees. A person-centered care approach addressing both dimensions may be beneficial. Experiences of living with and managing diabetes are multifaceted and intertwined with life context and medical prerequisites.

Endocrinological Involvement in Children and Adolescents Affected by COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Since the advent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, an increased incidence of several endocrinological anomalies in acute-phase and/or long-term complications has been described. The aim of this review is to provide a broad overview of the available literature regarding changes in the worldwide epidemiology of endocrinological involvement in children since December 2019 and to report the evidence supporting its association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although little is known regarding the involvement of endocrine organs during COVID-19 in children, the current evidence in adults and epidemiological studies on the pediatric population suggest the presence of a causal association between the virus and endocrinopathies. Untreated transient thyroid dysfunction, sick euthyroid syndrome, nonthyroidal illness syndrome, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and central precocious puberty have been observed in children in acute infection and/or during multisystem inflammatory syndrome development. Furthermore, a higher frequency of ketoacidosis at onset in children with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is reported in the literature. Although the direct association between COVID-19 and endocrinological involvement has not been confirmed yet, data on the development of different endocrinopathies in children, both during acute infection and as a result of its long-term complications, have been reported. This information is of primary importance to guide the management of patients with previous or current COVID-19.

Delayed Management of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Children

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common presentation for pediatric new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Delayed diagnosis is the major risk factor for DKA at disease onset.

METHOD

Two pediatric endocrinologists independently reviewed the admission records to assess the appropriateness of preadmission management in various health care settings.

RESULTS

Eighteen percent (n = 45) of patients with new-onset IDDM had a delayed diagnosis. Twenty-eight were misdiagnosed (respiratory [n = 9], nonspecific [n = 7], genitourinary [n = 4], gastrointestinal [n = 8] issues) and 17 were mismanaged. One child died within 4 hr of hospitalization, presumably because of a hyperosmolar coma. Forty-six percent (n = 21) of patients with delayed diagnosis presented with DKA, comprising 18% of all DKA cases.

DISCUSSION

A significant number of patients with new-onset IDDM were either misdiagnosed or mismanaged. All providers must be appropriately trained in diagnosing new-onset IDDM and follow the standard of clinical care practices.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term trends in the prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of paediatric type 1 diabetes: an international multicentre study based on data from 13 national diabetes registries

BACKGROUND

An increased prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children was observed in various diabetes centres worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of paediatric type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify potential predictors of changes in diabetic ketoacidosis prevalence during the pandemic.

METHODS

For this international multicentre study, we used data from 13 national diabetes registries (Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, USA [Colorado], and Wales). The study population comprised 104 290 children and adolescents aged 6 months to younger than 18 years, who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between Jan 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2021. The observed diabetic ketoacidosis prevalence in 2020 and 2021 was compared to predictions based on trends over the pre-pandemic years 2006-19. Associations between changes in diabetic ketoacidosis prevalence and the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures were examined with excess all-cause mortality in the whole population and the Stringency Index from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker.

FINDINGS

87 228 children and adolescents were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2006 and 2019, 8209 were diagnosed in 2020, and 8853 were diagnosed in 2021. From 2006 to 2019, diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was present in 23 775 (27·3%) of 87 228 individuals and the mean annual increase in the prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis in the total cohort from 2006 to 2019 was 1·6% (95% CI 1·3 to 1·9). The adjusted observed prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was 39·4% (95% CI 34·0 to 45·6) in 2020 and 38·9% (33·6 to 45·0) in 2021, significantly higher than the predicted prevalence of 32·5% (27·8 to 37·9) for 2020 and 33·0% (28·3 to 38·5) for 2021 (p&lt;0·0001 for both years). The prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with the pandemic containment measures, with an estimated risk ratio of 1·037 (95% CI 1·024 to 1·051; p&lt;0·0001) per ten-unit increase in the Stringency Index for 2020 and 1·028 (1·009 to 1·047; p=0·0033) for 2021, but was not significantly associated with excess all-cause mortality.

INTERPRETATION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked exacerbation of the pre-existing increase in diabetic ketoacidosis prevalence at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children. This finding highlights the need for early and timely diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.

FUNDING

German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, German Robert Koch Institute, German Diabetes Association, German Diabetes Foundation, Slovenian Research Agency, Welsh Government, Central Denmark Region, and Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.

Insulin pump therapy is associated with higher rates of mild diabetic ketoacidosis compared to injection therapy: A 2-year Swedish national survey of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) can occur during both insulin pump therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, CSII) and insulin injection therapy (multiple daily injections, MDI). The primary aim of this study was to compare CSII and MDI regarding DKA frequency. A secondary aim was to compare metabolic derangement between CSII and MDI at hospital admission for DKA. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Children 0-17.99 years with established T1D admitted for DKA in Sweden from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2017 were invited to participate. Data regarding demographics, laboratory data, CSII or MDI, and access to ketone meters and CGM were provided through questionnaires and medical records. The Swedish National Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS) was used to compare the distribution of CSII and MDI in the national population with the population admitted for DKA, using the chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Distribution of CSII and MDI was then categorized in clinical severity grades for mild (pH 7.20-7.29), moderate (pH 7.10-7.29) and severe DKA (pH <7.10).

RESULTS

The distribution of CSII at DKA admission was significantly larger than in the national pediatric population with T1D (74.7% vs. 59.7%, p = 0.002). CSII was overrepresented in mild DKA (85.2% vs. with CSII, p < 0.001), but not in moderate/severe DKA (57.9% with CSII, p = 0.82). Mean HbA1c at hospital admission was 73.9 mmol/mol with CSII and 102.7 mmol/mol with MDI.

CONCLUSIONS

CSII was associated with higher risk of mild DKA than MDI. MDI was associated with markedly higher HbA1c levels than CSII at hospital admission for DKA.

Incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis during COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-analysis of 124,597 children with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will not only shed light on such life-threatening complications but also be a step to increase the awareness of healthcare providers about such complications in the upcoming pandemic waves and increased dependence on telemedicine. Thus, we aimed to further investigate the increase of DKA in pediatrics.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were broadly searched for studies assessing the incidence of DKA in pediatrics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Our study included 24 papers with a total of 124,597 children with diabetes. A statistically significant increase occurred in the risk of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM patients during the pandemic (RR 1.41; 95% CI 1.19, 1.67; p < 0.01; I² = 86%), especially in the severe form of DKA (RR 1.66: 95% CI 1.3, 2.11) when compared to before.

CONCLUSION

DKA in newly diagnosed children with T1DM has increased during the pandemic and presented with a severe form. This may reflect that COVID-19 may have contributed not only to the development but also the severity of DKA.

IMPACT

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study included 25 papers with a total of 124,597 children with diabetes. A statistically significant increase occurred in the risk of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM patients during the pandemic. Our findings reflect that COVID-19 may have an altered presentation in T1DM and can be related to DKA severity.

Frequency of Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Associated With Socioeconomic Deprivation and Urbanization: Results From the German Multicenter DPV Registry

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether socioeconomic deprivation and urbanization are associated with the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of pediatric type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Children and adolescents aged ≤18 years, living in Germany, with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes documented between 2016 and 2019 in the Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV; Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation), were assigned to a quintile of regional socioeconomic deprivation (German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation) and to a degree of urbanization (Eurostat) by using their residence postal code. With multiple logistic regression models, we investigated whether the frequency of DKA at diagnosis was associated with socioeconomic deprivation or urbanization and whether associations differed by age-group, sex, or migration status.

RESULTS

In 10,598 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, the frequency of DKA was lowest in the least deprived regions (Q1: 20.6% [95% CI 19.0-22.4], and increased with growing socioeconomic deprivation to 26.9% [25.0-28.8] in the most deprived regions [Q5]; P for trend <0.001). In rural areas, the frequency of DKA at diagnosis was significantly higher than in towns and suburbs (intermediate areas) or in cities (27.6% [95% CI 26.0-29.3] vs. 22.7% [21.4-24.0], P < 0.001, or vs. 24.3% [22.9-25.7], P = 0.007, respectively). The results did not significantly differ by age-group, sex, or migration background or after additional adjustment for socioeconomic deprivation or urbanization.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that prevention of DKA at diagnosis by means of awareness campaigns and screening for presymptomatic type 1 diabetes should particularly target socioeconomically disadvantaged regions and rural areas.

Selecting an intervention to prevent ketoacidosis at diabetes diagnosis in children using a behavior change framework

OBJECTIVE

The rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a preventable, life-threatening complication of diabetes, at the time of diagnosis in children remains unacceptably high worldwide. We describe our initial approach to selecting a national DKA prevention strategy, to be implemented by the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group DKA Prevention Working Group, informed by a framework for behavior change interventions.

METHODS

Existing interventions were identified from a systematic review and our own gray literature search. We then characterized interventions using the Behavior Change Wheel, a framework to inform and drive behavior change, and matched interventions to behavioral targets, audiences, and identified barriers and facilitators. Feedback from the CPEG DKA prevention working group was incorporated into the intervention plan.

RESULTS

We identified 27 interventions. Our proposed target behaviors are: (1) prompt recognition of symptoms of diabetes in children; (2) urgent attendance to medical care with a request for an office-based test for diabetes; and (3) rapid confirmation of diagnosis and urgent consultation with pediatric diabetes experts. We initially identified four possible intervention functions including education, training, environment restructuring, and enablement. Feedback from the working group favored education intervention functions including symptom recognition messages targeting parents, caregivers, teachers, and providers and messages about how to make a rapid diagnosis and need for urgent referral targeting providers.

CONCLUSIONS

The Behavior Change Wheel has been used successfully in selecting interventions in other clinical areas. We describe how we used this framework to provide a foundation for developing an intervention to prevent DKA at diabetes diagnosis in children.

Alarming Increase of Ketoacidosis Prevalence at Type 1 Diabetes-Onset in Austria-Results From a Nationwide Registry

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the annual prevalence of onset-DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) from 2012 to 2020 with a sub-analysis for lockdown-periods during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

DESIGN

All newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) aged <15 years are prospectively registered in the population-based Austrian Diabetes Incidence Study in Austria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The annual DKA prevalence was analyzed using Joinpoint regression. Definition of DKA: pH <7.3, mild DKA: pH 7.3 to ≤ 7.1, severe DKA: pH <7.1. DKA prevalence during the lockdown periods in 2020 and the corresponding periods in 2015-2019 were examined using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

In the years 2012-2020 the mean prevalence for onset-DKA in Austria was 43.6% [95%CI (confidence interval): 41.6, 45.7] and thus above the mean prevalence of previous decades (1989-2011) of 37,1 % (95%CI: 35.6, 38.6). A particularly high prevalence was found among children <2 years of age (72.0% DKA, 32.8% severe DKA). No significant gender difference was found. Prevalence of severe DKA at T1D-onset increased significantly since 2015 (p = 0.023). During the lockdown in 2020, 59.3% of children were diagnosed with DKA at T1D-onset, compared to 42.1% during the previous 5 years (p = 0.022). Moreover, 20% of children had severe DKA at T1D diagnosis, compared to 14% during the comparison period.

CONCLUSIONS

The previously already high prevalence of DKA at T1D-onset has further increased over time. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of a late or delayed diagnosis of diabetes in children resulting in onset-DKA. The alarmingly increased prevalence of DKA in Austrian children with T1D calls for urgent action.