<b>Association of Hypoglycemia With the Time to Dextrose in Treatment of Diabetes-Related Ketoacidosis</b>

<p dir="ltr">Guidelines for the treatment of diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) recommend adding intravenous dextrose or enteral glucose when a patient’s blood glucose level has decreased sufficiently to help prevent hypoglycemia. This study sought to determine whether a delay in this intervention was associated with a higher incidence of hypoglycemia. It found that patients are at increased risk for hypoglycemia during the active treatment window of DKA, as well as during the entire hospitalization, when the addition of dextrose or glucose is delayed. Key Points · During the treatment of diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA), a delay of more than 30 minutes in adding i.v. dextrose or oral glucose after blood glucose levels have decreased sufficiently is associated with greater risk of hypoglycemia. · Limiting the time delay in starting dextrose or glucose to ≤30 minutes after a patient’s blood glucose is <250 mg/dL may help prevent hypoglycemia episodes.</p>