Challenging the One-Dose-Fits-All Model for Insulin in the Acute Treatment of Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis. A Critical Appraisal of "Low-Dose Versus Standard-Dose Insulin in Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial" by Nallasamy et al (JAMA Pediatrics 2014; 168:999-1005).

Abstract

To review the findings and discuss the implications of the use of low-dose insulin infusions in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis compared with standard-dose insulin. A search of the electronic PubMed database was used to perform the clinical query as well as to search for additional relevant literature. The article by Nallasamy K et al "Low-Dose vs Standard-Dose Insulin in Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatrics 2014; 17:e477-e480" was selected for critical appraisal and literature review. The authors performed a randomized controlled trial among 50 consecutive patients of 0-12 years old presenting to the emergency department in diabetic ketoacidosis. They found that low-dose (0.05 U/kg/hr) insulin infusion was noninferior to standard-dose (0.1 U/kg/hr) insulin in terms of resolution of hyperglycemia and acidosis with a trend toward lower rates of therapy-related complications in the low-dose group. Low-dose insulin infusion is noninferior to standard-dose insulin in the treatment of younger pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and may lead to fewer therapy-related complications.