To identify risk factors associated with the development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus, a retrospective chart review of 139 new onset type 1 diabetes patients from 1995 to 1998 was conducted. Categorical data were examined with contingency table analysis. Age range was 0.5 to 18 years. Overall, 38% of the patients presented in DKA. Sixty-two percent of the patients with either Medicaid or no insurance presented in DKA compared to 34% of the patients with private insurance, odds ratio 3.17 (92% CI 1.2-8.3) p = 0.03. Sixty-eight percent of patients in whom the diagnosis was missed (n = 25) presented in DKA (mean age, 5.4 +/- 4.4 years) compared to 32% in whom the diagnosis was not missed (mean age, 8.8 +/- 4.0 years) odds ratio 4.6 (95% CI 1.9-11.7), p = 0.0012; age p = 0.00019. Lack of private insurance, although a risk factor for the development of DKA, did not increase the likelihood of a missed diagnosis. Lack of private insurance (a proxy for socioeconomic status) and young age are apparent risk factors for the development of ketoacidosis. Misdiagnosis by the physician at initial patient encounter is especially prevalent in the young child but not related to insurance. Both increased public awareness and greater medical alertness are necessary to reduce the high rates of DKA in new-onset type 1 diabetic children.

BACKGROUND: Nursing textbooks and tradition suggest that the high-Fowler's position is best to optimize diaphragmatic excursion and effective breathing pattern. The optimal position for intubated patients with obesity, ascites or abdominal distention has yet to be determined but is important because weaning trial outcomes may reflect the effect of position rather than weaning trial tolerance. OBJECTIVE: To determine the body position that optimizes breathing pattern (tidal volume and respiratory rate) in spontaneously breathing, intubated patients with a large abdomen. METHODS: Nineteen intubated patients with abdominal distention, ascites or obesity who were on continuous positive airway pressure or the pressure support ventilation mode were studied in the 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees and reverse Trendelenburg's at 45 degrees positions for 5 minutes prior to data collection. RESULTS: The RT at 45 degrees position resulted in a significantly larger tidal volume and lower respiratory rate than the 90 degrees position in intubated, spontaneously breathing patients with a large abdomen. The 45 degrees position resulted in a significantly lower respiratory rate than at 90 degrees; however, no difference in tidal volume was demonstrated. DISCUSSION: A high respiratory rate and low tidal volume potentiates atelectasis and ultimately failure to wean. It is important that the effect of positioning on breathing pattern in intubated patients be determined so that care planning results in optimal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have implications for the selection of chair and bed positioning during weaning trials.

The introduction of a 7.5% hypertonic saline/6% dextran 70 (HSD) solution into clinical trials for the treatment of hypovolemic states, and the past concerns regarding the possible interference of dextran with blood serology, prompted us to investigate the effects of HSD on human red-cell typing and stability. HSD was evaluated with fresh and 35-day stored CPDA-lred cells from 12 healthy donors. A 1:5 mixture of HSD to blood in vitro had no effect on ABO, Rh, and MN typing in both fresh and stored blood. HSD produced no significant lysis with fresh cells and a minimal level with stored blood. No evidence of metabolic or morphologic changes was seen after HSD treatment. The results of this study suggest that the clinical use of HSD for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock will not affect blood group determinations or red-cell stability from stored blood which may be infused after the HSD-treated patient is transported to a hospital.

Dubick, M.A., B.A. Ryan, J.J. Summary, and C.E. Wade: Dextran metabolism following infusion of 7 5% NaCI/6% dextran-70 to euvolemic and hemorrhaged rabbits Drug Dev Res. 25:29-38, 1992Dextran metabolism was evaluated in euvolemic and hemorrhaged rabbits following administration of a 7 5%NaCI/6% Dextran-70 (HSD) solution Control rabbits and those bled 8 mI/kg body weight were infused i v with 4 ml/kg of HSD or HSD containing 14C-Dextran-70 Blood samples were withdrawn pnor to and at times up to 96 hr after HSD infusion Peak serum dextran concentrations were about 29% higher in hemorrhaged rabbits thi-'i in controls, yet serum dextran t,, 2 was similar in both groups Molecular weight (MW) distribution of dextran in serum showed a slight shift toward a MW >70,000, consistent with excretion of lower MW forms in the unne. After 96 hr concentrations of 14 C-Dextran were 20-fold higher in liver from both groups of rabbits, in companson to spleen, lung, and kidney In addition, dextranase activity in liver was markediy higher than in the other tissues assayed These studies indicate that dextran infubed as HSD does not associate with any protein fractions, is found only in low concentrations in tissue, and has a serum half-life adequate to serve as a useful plasma volume expander