Clinical study of blood lipid and amylase levels in children with type 1 diabetes complicated with ketoacidosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is common in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and can further lead to dyslipidaemia and amylase elevation. The purpose of our study was to explore the correlation among DKA, blood lipid levels and amylase levels in children with T1D. Methods The clinical data and laboratory indicators of 120 patients with T1D were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two groups: those without DKA (30 patients) and those with DKA (90 patients). Differences between the groups were analysed. ROC curves were used to explore the diagnostic value of blood lipid and amylase levels. The Mantel‒Haenszel test, Spearman correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the correlation among DKA, blood lipid levels and amylase levels. Results HbA1c levels (p=0.003), triglyceride levels (p<0.001), total cholesterol levels (p<0.001) and the incidence of abdominal pain (p=0.009) were all higher in patients with DKA than in patients without DKA, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (p=0.002) were lower. The Mantel‒Haenszel test showed that the risk of triglyceride elevation was higher for DKA patients (OR = 6.118, p < 0.001), and amylase elevation was not found to have a significant impact on this risk (p=0.502). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the presence of DKA was associated with a higher risk of triglyceride elevation (OR=5.362, p = 0.003). Conclusions Abdominal pain, elevated HbA1c, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels and decreased HDL levels are common in children with T1D and DKA, and the presence of DKA is a risk factor for triglyceride elevation. In the absence of acute pancreatitis, DKA or triglyceride elevation will not increase blood amylase levels.