Prevalence of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Pediatric Patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital,

Abstract

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Referral Hospital
(TAH) to determine the prevalence of newly diagnosed type I Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients who
initially presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During the study period from September 1997
to September 2007 there were a total of 143 type I DM patients seen at pediatrics emergency outpatient department (E-OPD) of TAH. Of those, 118 patients were newly diagnosed type I DM
patients and 25 were known DM patients who came for follow-up. Of the 118 patients 101 (80 %)
were admitted to the wards with diagnosis of DKA. There were 7 deaths during the study period
that makes the case fatality rate 6 % the deceased were newly diagnosed DM patients in DKA. Both
sexes were equally affected. Significant number of children 31 (30.6%) were less than four years of
age. Fifty seven children (56.4%) presented late. The parents’ monthly income, level of education
and the residential area were not found to have association with early seeking of medical advice.
The study concluded that 80% of patients seen at the OPD with newly diagnosed DM presented with
DKA and most of them (56 .4 %) came late. Hence, extensive health education has to be given both
in urban and rural areas so that they will seek medical advice earlier to prevent occurrence of DKA
and its associated morbidity and mortality.