Factors Associated With the Severity of Diabetic Ketoacidosis on Admission in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Retrospective Study

Background Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children with diabetes, often requiring intensive care unit management. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the severity of DKA in infants and children hospitalized in pediatric intensive care. Methodology This retrospective, monocentric, descriptive, analytical study included infants and children aged one month to 17 years who presented with DKA meeting the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes 2022 criteria. The study was conducted at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the International University Hospital Cheikh Khalifa in Casablanca from July 2018 to February 2023. For data analysis, patients were divided into two groups, namely, severe DKA and non-severe DKA. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi software. Results Of the 63 children included, 26 (41.3%) had severe DKA, and 37 (58.7%) had non-severe DKA. The mean age was 8.92 ± 5.18 years, with a sex ratio of 0.97. Statistical analysis revealed a significant clinical difference between DKA severity and the presence of dyspnea at admission (p = 0.004) and drowsiness (p = 0.003). Regarding biological parameters, the study showed that patients with severe DKA had significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) counts (p = 0.013), as well as significantly higher procalcitonin (PCT) levels (p = 0.038) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (p = 0.011) compared to children admitted with non-severe DKA. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, sex, symptoms, triggering factors, or clinical outcomes. Conclusions The severity of DKA in children is associated with the presence of neurological disturbances and dyspnea at admission, as well as a significant elevation in WBC count, CRP, and PCT.