27th May 2025

Complications

Complications can occur from DKA itself or from the treatment. These include:

• Gastric stasis which can increase the risk of aspiration
• Thromboembolism 
• Arrhythmias secondary to hyperkalaemia or iatrogenic hypokalaemia 
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome 
• Acute kidney injury 
• Iatrogenic complications due to incorrect fluid therapy: hypokalaemia, hypoglycaemia and cerebral oedema (children and young adults are most commonly at risk of this following fluid resuscitation, patients should be monitored for signs of cerebral oedema using neuro-observations and monitor for headache, irritability, visual disturbance, focal neurology)