Impact of the hyperchloremic component of metabolic acidosis on the patient's hydration status and the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is characterized by metabolic acidosis (MA) with a high anion gap (AG), although, occasionally, it can present with hyperchloremia. It has been postulated that the early presence of hyperchloremia could reflect a better hydration status; however, its prevalence and impact on DKA treatment remain unknown. determine the prevalence of the hyperchloremic component in MA prior to treatment and to assess whether it is associated with a better hydration status and a shorter recovery time from DKA compared to patients with high AG only. Patients and Methods. Patients hospitalized with DKA (between January 2014 and June 2016) were grouped according to whether they were admitted with MA with high AG only. or with hyperchloremia, and clinical and laboratory outcome measures and response to treatment were compared.

RESULTS: Forty patients (17 males, median age: 14.5 years [2.4-18]) were included; 22 with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (prevalence of 55%) and 18 with metabolic acidosis with high AG only. The presence of hyperchloremia was not associated with a better hydration status (weight loss percentage in both groups: 4.9%; p= 0.81) nor with a faster treatment response (MA with a hyperchloremic component: 9.5 hours; MA with high AG only: 11 hours; p= 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MA with a hyperchloremic component among children with DKA was 55% and was not associated with a better hydration status nor with a faster recovery from the metabolic decompensation.