Correlation of clinical and biochemical findings with diabetic ketoacidosis-related cerebral edema in children using magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical and biochemical factors influencing cerebral edema formation during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children.


METHODS
We used magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging to quantify edema formation. We measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of brain water during and after DKA treatment in 26 children and correlated ADC changes with clinical and biochemical variables.


RESULTS
Mean ADC values were elevated during DKA treatment compared with baseline (8.13 +/- 0.47 vs 7.74 +/- 0.49 x 10(-4) mm(2)/sec, difference in means 0.40, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.55, P < .001). Children with altered mental status during DKA had greater elevation in ADC. ADC elevation during DKA was positively correlated with initial serum urea nitrogen concentration (correlation coefficient 0.41, P = .03) and initial respiratory rate (correlation coefficient 0.61, P < .001). ADC elevation was not significantly correlated with initial serum glucose, sodium or effective osmolality, nor with changes in glucose, sodium or osmolality during treatment. Multivariable analyses identified the initial urea nitrogen concentration and respiratory rate as independently associated with ADC elevation.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of edema formation during DKA in children is correlated with the degree of dehydration and hyperventilation at presentation, but not with factors related to initial osmolality or osmotic changes during treatment. These data support the hypothesis that CE is related to cerebral hypoperfusion during DKA, and that osmotic fluctuations during DKA treatment do not play a primary causal role.
Glaser
Nicole S
NS
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. nsglaser@ucdavis.edu
Marcin
James P
JP
Wootton-Gorges
Sandra L
SL
Buonocore
Michael H
MH
Rewers
Arleta
A
Strain
John
J
DiCarlo
Joseph
J
Neely
E Kirk
EK
Barnes
Patrick
P
Kuppermann
Nathan
N
D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003681:Dehydration; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006985:Hyperventilation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012119:Respiration