Definition
Diagnosis of DKA is based upon the presence of biochemical criteria [19-22]:
- Hyperglycaemia (blood glucose >11 mmol/L)
- Acidosis (pH < 7.3 OR bicarbonate <15 mmol/L)
- Ketosis (blood ketones >3mmol/L or, if blood ketone monitoring is not available, moderate to large ketonuria)
The severity of DKA [19,22] can be classified as:
- Mild DKA: pH 7.2- 7.29 &/or bicarb < 15
- Moderate DKA: pH 7.1-7.19 &/or bicarb < 10
- Severe DKA: pH< 7.1 &/or bicarb < 5