During the recent COVID pandemic, an increase in the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset of type 1 diabetes (T1DM), has been reported worldwide.¹ Prevention of DKA through better awareness of the initial symptoms of T1DM stage 3 or through population screening, combined with ongoing monitoring of those at risk to progress, is a public health priority.

However, recent observations clearly demonstrate that this goal is not yet achieved.

This renders it even more important to have as many as possible health care professionals trained in DKA management and prevention of complications.

Access to evidence based guidelines for the target population group can reduce the risk of mismanagement or preventable complications. These guidelines should be evidence based and applicable in the place where care is provided. The International Society for Pediatric, Adolescent and young adult Diabetes (ISPAD) publishes every 4 year their Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines (https://www.ispad.org/page/ISPADGuidelines). These guidelines are evidence based, global and provide the state of art. They are freely accessible in multiple languages. Based on the geographical location and access to medication and technical tools the best possible practice may vary. Another tool, ISPAD/IDF/LFaC pocketbook, can be accessed (https://www.ispad.org/page/ISPADIDFLFaC). This pocket book provides a short summary on diabetes care in different settings with relevant flowcharts to be used in case of emergencies.

Reference

1. NH Birkebaek, et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology 2022.