Current Paediatrics
Volume 13, Issue 2 , Pages 114-119, April 2003

Management of diabetic coma

Department of Paediatrics, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK

Abstract 

The term ‘diabetic coma’ is outdated, confusing and should probably no longer be used. Traditionally, it has been an alternative term for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), even when the child is not technically in coma. Although DKA remains the most common and important cause of coma in a child with diabetes, there can be other causes which must be borne in mind. This review will focus on the various causes of coma in children with diabetes, the underlying pathophysiology, clinical presentation and current thoughts on their management in an attempt to guide the paediatrician when faced with a comatose diabetic patient.

Keywords: diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, coma, type I diabetes, cerebral oedema

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  • f1 Correspondence to: JAE. Tel.: +44 (0) 1865 221488; Fax : +44 (0) 1865 220323.

PII: S0957-5839(02)90424-0

doi:10.1054/cupe.2002.0424

Current Paediatrics
Volume 13, Issue 2 , Pages 114-119, April 2003

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