Age-related differences in the frequency of ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children in Finland.


METHODS
From 2002 to 2005, data on virtually all children <15 years of age diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (n = 1,656) in Finland were collected.


RESULTS
DKA was present in 19.4% of the case subjects, and 4.3% had severe DKA. In children aged 0-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years, DKA was present in 16.5, 14.8, and 26.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Severe DKA occurred in 3.7, 3.1, and 5.9%, respectively (P = 0.048). DKA was present in 30.1% and severe DKA in 7.8% of children aged <2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall frequency of DKA in children is low in Finland at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. However, both children <2 years of age and adolescents aged 10-14 years are at increased risk of DKA.
Hekkala
Anne
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. anne.hekkala@oulu.fi
Reunanen
Antti
A
Koski
Matti
M
Knip
Mikael
M
Veijola
Riitta
R
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index