Effect of Potassium Infusions on Serum Levels in Children during Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Abstract

A retrospective study was done to determine the effect of potassium (K⁺) infusions on serum levels in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Eighty-two percent of 92 cases studied received 40 mEq/L K⁺ infusion over the treatment period of median 13.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 7–18) hours. The median K⁺ value at the end of this period was 3.9 (IQR: 3.4–4.2) mEq/L. There were 31 data points of low K⁺ values (<3.5 mEq/L) and 4 high values (>5.5 mEq/L) during this treatment period. The K⁺ infusions of 40 mEq/L may be sufficient to normalize serum K⁺ when treating DKA.

Keywords

pediatrics - diabetic ketoacidosis - potassium infusion

Note

This work was performed at St. John's Children's Hospital, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois. The pediatric department of Southern Illinois University provided logistical support.

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