Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 36 P23 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.36.P23

BSPED2014 Poster Presentations (1) (88 abstracts)

Audit of insulin doses in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

Sarah Kiff , Ailish Nimmo , Kathryn Noyes & Louise Bath


Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.


Introduction: The initial insulin doses for children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are dependent on the degree of ketosis at presentation, reflecting the presence of insulin resistance. The concept of metabolic memory has heightened the importance of improving glycaemic control following diagnosis.

Aim: To determine whether current local prescribing guidelines accurately predict insulin requirement at initiation of treatment following a new diagnosis of T1DM.

Methods: The paper and electronic medical records of all children with newly diagnosed T1DM presenting to a tertiary paediatric hospital over a 6-month period were reviewed to obtain data on insulin dosing at presentation, at hospital discharge and 6 weeks after diagnosis.

Results: 23 patients (11 male, 11 in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)) presented over a 6-month period. Results were analysed in three cohorts: patients in DKA (n=11); those not in DKA with ketones ≥ 1.5 mmol/l (n=5); patients not in DKA with ketones <1.5 mmol/l (n=7). SUBCUTANEOUS insulin doses tended to be higher in the DKA and elevated ketones group prior to discharge (Table 1).

Table 1 Insulin dose; (median (range), units/kg/day) in each cohort
Patient cohortIV insulin during last 24 hours of treatmentInitiation of SC treatmentHospital discharge6 week clinic follow-up
DKA0.98 (0.48–2.07)0.70 (0.61–0.80)0.97 (0.62–1.45)0.60 (0.4–1.1)
Non-DKA Ketones ≧ 1.5N/A0.70 (–)0.87 (0.7–1.4)0.50 (0.31–0.97)
Non-DKA Ketones < 1.5N/A0.50 (0.45–0.83)0.56 (0.46–1.1)0.57 (0.18–0.85)

Conclusion: Children with significant ketosis (including DKA) at presentation appear to require more SUBCUTANEOUS insulin at initiation of treatment than is currently given. We have revised our care pathways to provide between 0.5 and 1 unit/kg per day depending on degree of ketosis and acidosis.

Volume 36

42nd Meeting of the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes 

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