Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

DKA is a life-threatening condition caused by dangerously high blood sugar levels. Your child's blood sugar levels become high because his or her body does not have enough insulin. Insulin helps move sugar out of the blood so it can be used for energy. The lack of insulin forces his or her body to use fat instead of sugar for energy. As fats are broken down, they leave chemicals called ketones that build up in the blood. Ketones are dangerous at high levels.

What increases my child's risk for DKA?

• Not enough insulin
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Infection or other illness
• Heart attack, stroke, trauma, or surgery
• Emotional stress
• Being female

What are the signs and symptoms of DKA?

Your child may feel very thirsty, and urinate more than usual. He or she may have a fever. He or she may also have any of the following:

• Dry mouth, eyes, and skin
• Fast, deep breathing
• Faster heartbeat than usual for your child
• Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
• Fruity, sweet breath
• Mood changes and irritability
• Feeling very weak, tired, and confused
• Weight loss without trying

How is DKA treated?

DKA can be life-threatening. Your child must get immediate medical attention. The goal of treatment is to replace lost body fluids, and to bring blood sugar levels back to a safe level.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• sodium bicarbonate
• Humulin R
• Humalog
• Novolin R
• Novolog

View more treatment options

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

How can I help prevent DKA?

The best way to prevent DKA is to help your child control his or her diabetes. Ask your child's healthcare provider for more information on how to manage your child's diabetes. The following may help decrease your child's risk for DKA:

• Monitor your child's blood sugar levels closely. Your child's levels may go up if he or she has an infection, is stressed, sick, or has a trauma. Check his or her blood sugar levels often. You may need to check at least 3 times each day. If your child's blood sugar level is too high, give insulin as directed by the healthcare provider.
• Manage your child's sick days. When your child is sick, he or she may not eat as much as usual. You may need to change the amount of insulin your child gets. You will need to check your child's blood sugar level more often than usual. Make a plan with your child's healthcare provider about how to manage your child's diabetes when he or she is sick.
• Check your child's ketones as directed. Follow your child's healthcare provider's instructions about when you should check your child's blood or urine for ketones. You may be given a machine to check your child's blood ketones. Urine ketones can be checked with sticks you dip in your child's urine. Do not allow your child to exercise if he or she has ketones in his or her urine or blood. Exercise may increase the level of ketones in your child's blood or urine and cause dehydration.
• Know how to treat DKA. If your child has signs of DKA, give him or her more liquids that do not contain sugar, such as water. Give your child insulin as directed by the healthcare provider and go to the nearest emergency room.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:

• Your child has a seizure or becomes unconscious.
• Your child begins to breathe fast, or is short of breath.
• Your child becomes weak and confused.

When should I seek immediate care?

• Your child is more drowsy than usual.
• Your child has severe, new stomach pain, or is vomiting.

When should I call my child's diabetes care team provider?

• Your child has fruity, sweet breath.
• Your child's blood sugar level is lower or higher than you were told it should be.
• Your child has a fever or chills.
• Your child has ketones in his blood or urine.
• Your child is more thirsty than usual.
• Your child is urinating more often than he usually does.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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