Question

A 6-year-old boy presents with polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. Capillary glucose is 24 mmol/L and venous blood gas confirms diabetic ketoacidosis. He is haemodynamically stable. According to RCH DKA guidelines, which fluid strategy is recommended to minimise the risk of cerebral oedema?

Accepted Answer

Careful replacement of deficit over 48 hours with isotonic fluids, avoiding rapid boluses except for shock

Answer

Rapid correction of dehydration with large volumes of hypotonic fluid in the first few hours

Answer

Immediate mannitol for all children with DKA regardless of neurological signs

Answer

Restrict all fluids until acidosis resolves

Answer

Use hypertonic saline for routine fluid replacement

Practice question

A 6-year-old boy presents with polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. Capillary glucose is 24 mmol/L and venous blood gas confirms diabetic ketoacidosis. He is haemodynamically stable. According to RCH DKA guidelines, which fluid strategy is recommended to minimise the risk of cerebral oedema?