The relationship between hyperchloremia and acute kidney injury in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis and its impact on clinical outcomes

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketogenesis, and increased anion gap metabolic acidosis. Such derangements are accompanied by volume depletion as well as electrolyte disturbances. Resuscitation using traditional saline in DKA patients can exacerbate electrolyte abnormalities, in particular the production of hyperchloremia. Severe hypovolemia can result in acute kidney injury (AKI). The link between hyperchloremia and AKI is controversial. This study aimed to assess the relationship between hyperchloremia and AKI in pediatric patients with DKA and its impacts on clinical outcomes. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 children with DKA admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit in which all patients were subjected to detailed medical history taking and full clinical examination. Daily assessment of Na, K, urea, creatinine, chloride, arterial blood gases, and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) was done. AKI was defined as pRIFLE stage I and F. Hyperchloremia was detected in 65.7% of patients at admission and in 52.9% after 24 h (p = 0.17). AKI was documented in 28% of patients. At admission hyperchloremia was detected in 56% of patients without AKI versus 90% of patients with AKI (p = 0.007). After 24 h, hyperchloremia was detected in 48.4% patients without versus 100% of patients with AKI. Chloride was significantly positively correlated to duration of admission, creatinine, ACR, and negatively correlated to eGFR. The development of AKI in patients with DKA was accompanied by hyperchloremia, increased time to DKA resolution, and longer hospital stay. “A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.”