Serum troponin I level in children with diabetic ketoacidosis: a cross-sectional study

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can cause several complications. The myocardial damage in children with DKA was not evaluated clearly. This study aimed to investigate the troponin level as a biochemical marker of myocardial damage in children with DKA during the disease and after recovery.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric endocrinology department of Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, from May to December 2019. Fifty diabetic children aged 1 to 18 years old with DKA by census sampling method. All patients were examed, and electrocardiography (ECG) was carried out. Troponin level was measured at admission and 48 hours after recovery. Finally, data were analysed using SPSS software 20.

At the time of admission, the mean troponin level was 11.56±5.35 ng/mL and it became 2.15±1.21 ng/mL after recovery. Although the initial troponin level during DKA in three patients was higher than the expected normal reference range, their echocardiography and ECG were normal. Moreover, there was no statistical relationship between troponin level with age, diabetes duration, and DKA severity.

The troponin level was remarkably different during DKA and after recovery. However, in merely 6% of DKA patients, the troponin level was higher than the expected value. We recommended that these patients be followed for future cardiovascular complications.