The impact of pediatric intensivists on the management of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis in pediatric intensive care units

INTRODUCTION: The impact of pediatric intensivists on managing pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pediatric intensivists on outcomes in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). METHODS: This was a two-institution retrospective study of patients with DKA admitted to the PICU between 2012 and 2023. Pediatric patients (< 19 years of age) were included if they met the moderate to severe DKA criteria on PICU admission. The patients were subsequently divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of a pediatric intensivist. The primary outcome was the PICU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were adverse events during DKA treatment, hospital LOS, and mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients admitted to the PICU with a median age of 13.00 years (range, 0–18 years) were included; 32 (61.54%) were female. Patients managed by pediatric intensivists had significantly shorter PICU LOS (2.52 vs. 3.69 days, p < 0.05). Also, adverse events during DKA treatment were significantly decreased in the high-intensity group compared to the low-intensity group (12.50% vs. 50.00%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity ICU staffing was associated with shorter PICU LOS and lower adverse events in pediatric patients with DKA. Our results suggest that dedicated pediatric intensivists can improve outcomes of critically ill pediatric patients with DKA.