Diabetic ketoacidosis in pregnancy: a retrospective analysis of ten cases / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the clinical features, prevention, and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in pregnancy.Methods:Clinical features, treatment, and pregnancy outcomes of ten pregnant patients diagnosed with DKA and treated at Peking University First Hospital from January 2004 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively using descriptive statistical analysis.Results:DKA was found in two cases in the first trimester, three in the second trimester, and five in the third trimester, respectively. Six had type 1 diabetes (including two patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes) and four patients had type 2 diabetes. Only two cases received regular pregnancy examinations, and two began prenatal care in the second trimester. The other six cases neither had prenatal examination nor regular examination. Infection, pancreatitis, and preeclampsia occurred in six, two, and one case, respectively, and among them, four had urinary system infection. Laboratory examination showed that the average pH, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at onset were 7.06±0.16, (23.7±2.6) mmol/L and (9.2±0.8)%. All patients had different degrees of electrolyte disorder and tested positive for urine ketone bodies. After rehydration, glucose-lowering, and correction of electrolyte disorder, the acidosis was relieved, and the ketone bodies turned negative in all patients. There was no maternal death. The fetal loss occurred in five cases, including one with intrauterine fetal death in late pregnancy, one with embryo arrest in early pregnancy, one with unavoidable abortion, and two terminated on maternal request. The remaining three were term labor and two were preterm labor.Conclusions:The leading cause of DKA in pregnancy is poor control of diabetic blood glucose, followed by infection. Once DKA is complicated during pregnancy, the outcome of the mother and her baby is poor. Its occurrence should be actively prevented. For women with fulminant type 1 diabetes, DKA is easier to occur, and the prognosis is poorer, so strict management and follow-up should be warranted.