Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (KEY toe as i DOE sis), also known as DKA, is a serious complication of diabetes. When the cells in the body cannot use glucose for energy, there is a buildup of acids called “ketones” in the blood. For the cells to use glucose for energy both glucose and insulin need to be in the blood. Insulin acts like a key to unlock the cell door. It allows glucose in to be used for energy.

When cells do not have glucose to use for energy:

• The body starts to use fat for energy.
• Ketones are made when fat is used for energy.
• Ketones are present in the blood and in the urine.
• Ketones cause the blood to become more acidic.
• If untreated, this leads to DKA and life-threatening problems.

Cause

• Not enough insulin
• Missing doses of insulin
• Infection, illness or injury (which causes the body to need more insulin)
• Insulin doses too small
• If using insulin pump, interruption in delivery of insulin

Signs of DKA and When to Test for Ketones

You may or may not feel any different when you begin to have ketones. The only way to know is by checking the urine or blood for the presence of ketones.

• Check for ketones if blood glucose is higher than 300 mg/dl.
• Check for ketones when ill (fever, flu or vomiting) even if blood glucose is not higher than 300 mg/dl.

Warning Signs of DKA

• Fast breathing
• Fruity smell to the breath
• Hard to wake up
• Feeling sick to the stomach (nausea), belly pain, or vomiting

How to Check Urine for Ketones

You can also check blood for ketones. Your health care team can provide more information about this choice.

What to Do If Ketones Are Present

Taking action when ketones first appear can stop DKA from happening.

If ketones are small, moderate or large:

• Drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of fluids every 30 to 60 minutes.
  • If blood glucose is higher than 150, drink something that does not have carbohydrates.
  • If blood glucose is lower than 150, drink something that does have carbohydrates.
• Give extra rapid-acting insulin for ketones every 3 hours until ketones are negative. This is called a ketone bolus. If you are not sure how much extra insulin to give for the ketone bolus, contact your health care provider. Continue to check blood glucose and ketones every 3 hours.
• Follow sick day guidelines provided by your diabetes team or contact your diabetes health care provider for advice.
• Do not skip meals. Continue eating or drinking carbohydrates and take extra rapid-acting insulin with meals.
• Continue to take the same dose of long-acting Lantus insulin that you usually take.
• Do not exercise if ketones are present.

Being Prepared When Contacting a Health Provider

When you contact your child’s healthcare provider, have the following information ready:

• Child’s name and birthdate
• Last blood glucose reading
• Ketone results
• Current insulin doses and time last rapid-acting insulin dose given
• Your name and relationship to the child

When to Call the Doctor

• You have treated moderate to large ketones two times with rapid acting insulin and ketones are still moderate to large.
• You have treated a low blood glucose two times and it is still low.
• You have thrown up (vomited) three times within 2 hours.
• As instructed by your diabetes health care provider.

When to Go to the Emergency Department

DKA can be life-threatening. Go to the local emergency department if you have any of these alarming signs of DKA.

• Fast breathing
• Fruity smell to the breath
• Hard to wake up
• Vomiting for more than 2 hours

Diabetes: Ketoacidosis (DKA) (PDF)

HH-I-23 9/80, Revised 12/15 Copyright 1980, Nationwide Children’s Hospital