Subcutaneous use of a fast-acting insulin analog: an alternative treatment for pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetes Care. 2005 Aug;28(8):1856-61. doi: 10.2337/diacare.28.8.1856.

Abstract

Objective: To look for technical simplification and economic efficiency in the treatment of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with subcutaneous use of the fast-acting insulin analog (lispro) and compare its use with regular intravenous insulin treatment.

Research design and methods: In this controlled clinical trial from June 2001 to June 2003, we randomized 60 episodes of DKA with a blood glucose level > or = 16.6 mmol/l (300 mg/dl), venous pH <7.3 and/or bicarbonate <15 mmol/l, or ketonuria greater than + +. Of the 60 episodes, 30 were treated with subcutaneous lispro (0.15 units/kg) given every 2 h (lispro group) and the other 30 cases received continuous intravenous regular insulin (0.1 unit x kg(-1) x h(-1); CIRI group). Volume deficit was repaired with 10-ml/kg aliquots of 0.9% sodium chloride. Laboratory monitoring included hourly bedside capillary glucose, venous blood gas, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and electrolytes. Plasma blood glucose levels were measured on admission, 2 h after admission, when capillary blood glucose reached < or = 13.8 mmol/l (250 mg/dl), and 6, 12, and 24 h thereafter.

Results: Capillary glucose levels decreased by 2.9 and 2.6 mmol x l(-1) x h(-1) in the lispro and CIRI groups, respectively, but blood glucose fluctuated at different time intervals. In the CIRI group, metabolic acidosis and ketosis resolved in the first 6-h period after capillary glucose reached 13.8 mmol/l, whereas in the lispro group, they resolved in the next 6-h interval; however, both groups met DKA recovery criteria without complications.

Conclusions: DKA treatment with a subcutaneous fast-acting insulin analog represents a cost-effective and technically simplified procedure that precludes intensive care unit admission.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / adverse effects
  • Insulin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin Lispro
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Lispro