ABSTRACT
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an emergency which requires prompt recognition and treatment. It may be the presenting feature of IDDM or occur in a known diabetic during an intercurrent illness, or when insulin is not given (in error or deliberately). A common mistake is to stop or reduce the insulin in children who are not eating because they are unwell or vomiting. In this situation they often need more insulin than usual.
