Outcomes of children with severe diabetic ketoacidosis managed outside of a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes. Our objective was to determine if children with severe DKA without alteration in mental status can be managed safely on a general children's medical unit. METHODS: Single center retrospective study of 191 patient encounters among 168 children admitted to the children's medical unit (CMU) at Primary Children's Hospital between 2007 and 2017 with severe DKA (pH <7.1 and/or bicarbonate <5 mmol/L). Chart review identified complications including death, transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), incidence of cerebral edema, and hypoglycemia. We compared patients requiring ICU transfer with those who did not with respect to demographics, laboratory findings at presentation, therapeutic interventions, length of stay, and cost. RESULTS: Of 191 patient encounters, there were 0 deaths (0%, 95% CI 0-2.4%), 22 episodes of alteration of mental status concerning for developing cerebral edema (11.5%, 95% CI 7.7-16.9%), 19 ICU transfers (10%, 95% CI 6.4-15.1%), and 7 episodes of hypoglycemia (3.7%, 95% CI 1.6-7.5%). ICU transfer was associated lower initial pH (7.03 ± 0.06 vs. 7.07 ± 0.07, p<0.05), increased length of stay (3.0 ± 0.8 vs. 2.2 ± 0.9 days, p<0.05), and increased cost of hospitalization (mean ± SD $8,073 ± 2,042 vs. $5,217 ± 1,697, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of children with severe DKA without alteration in mental status can be managed safely on a medical unit. Implementing a pH cutoff may identify high-risk patients that require ICU level of care.

Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus in children with pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for developing hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus (DM) in children with pancreatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (from infants to age 21 years) hospitalized with acute pancreatitis (AP), acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), and chronic pancreatitis were studied retrospectively. Subjects with known DM or cystic fibrosis before presentation with pancreatitis were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients met the study criteria. Of these, 140 had AP, 29 had ARP, and 7 had chronic pancreatitis. Severe pancreatitis was associated with hyperglycemia; 41% of the patients with hyperglycemia required insulin, and 8 patients (4.5%) developed DM requiring insulin by the time of discharge. These 8 patients with postpancreatitis DM were more likely to be overweight. Five of the 8 patients had a seizure disorder, and 4 had another comorbidity, such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy. Seven of the 8 patients who developed DM had a single episode of AP, and one patient had ARP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that hyperglycemia and DM can occur with pancreatitis. In some cases, postpancreatitis DM was associated with mental retardation, seizure disorder, and use of antiseizure medication. As opposed to adults who develop DM after chronic pancreatitis, children can develop DM due to a single episode of AP.

The role of adjunctive exenatide therapy in pediatric type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Exenatide improves postprandial glycemic excursions in type 2 diabetes. Exenatide could benefit type 1 diabetes as well. We aimed to determine an effective and safe glucose-lowering adjuvant exenatide dose in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Eight subjects completed a three-part double-blinded randomized controlled study of premeal exenatide. Two doses of exenatide (1.25 and 2.5 microg) were compared with insulin monotherapy. Prandial insulin dose was reduced by 20%. Gastric emptying and hormones were analyzed for 300 min postmeal. RESULTS: Treatment with both doses of exenatide versus insulin monotherapy significantly reduced glucose excursions over 300 min (P < 0.0001). Exenatide administration failed to suppress glucagon but delayed gastric emptying (P < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive exenatide therapy reduces postprandial hyperglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. This reduction in glucose excursion occurs despite reduction in insulin dose. We suggest that exenatide has therapeutic potential as adjunctive therapy in type 1 diabetes.

Hyperlipidemia in children.

Vandana S. Raman, MD, and Rubina A. Heptulla, MD, explain the clinical assessment and management strategies for childhood hyperlipidemia.

New potential adjuncts to treatment of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Insulin administration is the primary therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Current available insulin therapies do not successfully enable children with T1DM to reach glycemic goals without side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of human amylin that acts in conjunction with insulin to delay gastric emptying and inhibit the release of glucagon and is indicated for use in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies in adult patients have examined the role of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and agents that bind to its receptor in type 1 diabetes. It is hypothesized that a major component of the glycemic effect is attributable to the known action of GLP-1 to delay gastric emptying and to inhibit glucagon secretion. Further studies with the use of amylin analogs and long-acting GLP-1 agonists as congeners with insulin in T1DM are indicated in children. In recent years, our better understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes has led to the development of new therapies for diabetes. This article reviews the potential use of these newer pharmacologic agents as adjunctive therapy in T1DM in children and adolescents.