Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening condition. It can be the presenting feature of diabetes, or develop in patients with established disease. It is primarily a complication of type 1 diabetes, although it can occasionally occur in type 2 diabetes.

• It is characterised by:
• hyperglycaemia
• ketonaemia
• non-respiratory acidosis.
• The clinical features include:
• polyuria and polydipsia (though decreased renal perfusion secondary to dehydration may lead to oliguria in severe cases)
• dehydration
• weight loss
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• hyperventilation
• altered consciousness (from drowsiness to, in severe cases, coma).