Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the final consequence and life-threatening complication of severe insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes with occurrence of 20-40%. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and predisposing factors of DKA and its consequences.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 128 diabetic patients in Amirkola Children’s Hospital in 2005-2013. Patients' data were recorded in a predetermined questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS.18.

Results: Of all 128 hospitalized diabetic patients, 103 patients (80.5%) were referred for the first time and 25 (19.5%) patients were previously treated with insulin. Of total 128 patients, 71 (55.5%) had some degree of ketoacidosis that severe ketoacidosis was the most common form (in 36 cases; 50.7%). Among patients with the diagnosis of ketoacidosis (71 patients), 54 patients (76%) presented with DKA as the first symptom of diabetes. Generally, the predisposing factors of ketoacidosis were seen in 39 (54.9%) patients, which were due to infections and insulin therapy discontinuation in 27 (69.23%) and 12 (30.76%) of them, respectively. In patients with previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and history of admission with diabetic ketoacidosis, 70.58% had previous treatment cessation.

Conclusions: In the current study, the incidence of ketoacidosis was high (55.5%). This subject seems to be related to lack of information about diabetes mellitus among population who require the universal education. On the other hand, in respect to high incidence of DKA among patients with cessation of previous insulin treatment, rigorous and complete training of them is critical.