The researchers also found that those who developed cerebral edema were also found to be far more likely to have very low carbon dioxide and sharply higher nitrogen levels in their blood. In such cases, drugs to reduce the swelling can be given. It can't help but have a positive influence. I really have to worry about this child. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Cerebral edema is an uncommon but devastating complication of diabetic ketoacidosis in children.
Risk factors for this complication have not been clearly defined. In this multicenter study, we identified 61 children who had been hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis within a 15-year period and in whom cerebral edema had developed. A comparison of the children with cerebral edema with those in the matched control group also showed that cerebral edema was associated with lower partial pressures of arterial carbon dioxide and higher serum urea nitrogen concentrations. Children with diabetic ketoacidosis who have low partial pressures of arterial carbon dioxide and high serum urea nitrogen concentrations at presentation and who are treated with bicarbonate are at increased risk for cerebral edema. All rights reserved.