Diabetic ketoacidosis, also referred to as DKA, is a potentially dangerous side effect of diabetes, but it does not only affect adults. Diabetic ketoacidosis in children is also a common occurrence. DKA happens when the body experiences a deficiency in insulin, the hormone that the cells use for fuel. When this happens, the body will begin to drain other resources in the body to get energy. The hormone adrenaline will kick in, which is when DKA becomes dangerous because it will begin to break down fatty acids from muscles, fat and liver cells, converting them to insulin. According to Medscape Reference, an online resource that addresses drugs, diseases and procedures, diabetic ketoacidosis in children “is the most important cause of mortality and severe morbidity.”

A child who may be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis are susceptible to experiencing symptoms in many areas of the body. For example, their digestive system may be …

If you or a loved one needs diabetic ketoacidosis treatment your blood sugar is completely out of control and off the charts high. There are several things that can cause ketoacidosis, and if you have diabetes it is important to understand the symptoms and warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, as this condition can be life threatening.

Treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis is necessary when the body is essentially using its own fat, muscle and organs as fuel (eating itself) due to insufficient nutrition, dehydration or illness of some sort. When this begins to happen the body turns these fuels into glucose and fatty acids. Since diabetics (especially type I diabetics) do not have insulin to metabolize the sugar and fatty acids, the blood sugar spikes significantly because these fatty acids are converted to ketones through a process known as oxidation.

When this happens, blood sugar levels spike astronomically causing diabetic ketoacidosis. …