Endocrinology Flashcards
When a child has been newly diagnosed with T1 diabetes what antibodies are looked for on the blood tests?
Diabetic antibodies, Coeliac antibodies and TPO
What are some triggers which may lead to the development of T1 diabetes?
Infection (enteroviral) - usually more common in the spring and autumn
What are the most common early signs symptoms that patients with T1 diabetes may present with?
What are some other early symptoms they may present with?
Polyuria, Polydipsia, Weight loss
Lethargy Candida and other infections Skin sepsis Enuresis (bet wetting) - Secondary (Secondary eneuresis is when bed wetting develops at least 6 months (or even several years) after a person has learned to control his or her bladder)
What are the late (‘DKA’) symptoms T1 diabetic patients may present with?
Abdominal pain Vomiting Dehydration Smell of acetone breath Hyperventilation due to acidosis (Kussmaul breathing) Hypovolaemic shock Drowsiness Coma and death
What are the 3 things, according to NICE criteria, which diagnose DKA?
HAK
Hyperglycaemia - blood glucose >11mmol/L
Acidaemia - pH <7.3
Ketones >3 (blood) or ++ or more on urine
What are some signs of insulin resistance that may be seen in children with T2 diabetes?
What factors may be present in the history?
Acanthosis nigricans
Severe obesity
Skin tags
Polycystic ovary phenotype in teenage girls
What are some examples of rapid acting insulin analogues?
Novorapid (insulin lispro), Humalog (insulin glulisine), Apidra (insuling aspart)
What are some examples of long acting insulin analogues?
Levemir (insulin detemir) and Lantus (insulin glargine)
What are some examples of short acting human regular insulin?
Actrapid and Humulin S
Onset of action = 30-60 minutes. Peak = 2-4 hours
Where can insulin be injected?
Why is it important to rotate the sites?
Anterior and lateral aspects of the thigh, abdomen, buttocks
It is important to rotate the location with the aim to avoid lipohypertrophy
What level blood glucose are patients with T1 DM told to aim for? At what time in the day?
4-7mmol/L
Before meal times
What are the 2 types of regimes children may be started on for their insulin when diagnosed?
Why are these recommended?
- Started on a continuous subcutaneous insulin pump
- Started on a long acting insulin (e.g Levemir) and a rapid acting insulin (e.g Novorapid) given before meals and snack times
This is recommended because they ar eshown to achieve the best glycaemic control and reduce risks of long term complications
A measurement of a patients HbA1c is good for telling patients their diabetic control over how many weeks?
How often should it be checked?
What is the target HbA1c?
It what situations can it be misleading?
Over the past 6-12 weeks
It should be checked at least 4 times a year
Target HbA1c < 48mmol/L (6.5%)
If patient’s blood cells have a shorted life span e.g sickle cell trait or if the HbA molecule is abnormal (thalassaemia)
What are the positives of insulin pumps?
The can detect if a hypo is anticipated and withhold the administration of insulin
They also can detect nocturnal hypoglycaemias that the patient may be otherwise unaware of
What symptoms may a patient get during a hypoglycaemic episode?
How is a hypo treated?
What rate IVI may be given?
Hunger, tummy ache, dizziness, clamminess, feeling faint or dizzy or a ‘wobbly feeling’ in their legs
Treatment is dependent on level of consciousness/orientation:
If c&o and able to swallow: 15-20g of quick acting carbohydrate snack e.g 200ml orange juice and recheck blood glucose 10-15 mins after. Repeat snack up to 3 times.
If c but unco-operative: glucose gel can be squirted between teeth and gums.
In unconscious patients or tthose not responding to above measures: Start glucose IVI - 10% at 200ml/h is conscious - 10% at 200ml/15mins if unconscious - Glucagon 1mg IV/IM
Once blood glucose >4.0mmol/L and patient has recovered give long acting carbohydrate e.g slice of toast
When a child is newly diagnosed with diabetes they must undergo an education programme. What does this programme cover?
- Pathophysiology of diabetes
- Injection of insulin - technique and sites
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Healthy diet and carb counting
- Regular exercise and how to adjust for it
- Sick day rules
- Recognition and stages treatment of hypos
- Where to get advice 24hrs a day
- Voluntary groups available to help
- Psychological impact of the long term condition
Why should rapid rehydration in DKA be avoided?
Due to the risk of cerebral oedema
How is cerebral oedema treated?
Mannitol
Hypertonic saline
In the treatment of DKA when should IV insulin be started?
1 hour after administration of fluids
What are some signs of cerebral oedema?
Early manifestations include: Irritability or agitation Headache Unexpected fall in heart rate Increased blood pressure
During the treatment of DKA what is monitored in a child?
BP, RR, HR, Neuro status, U&E 2-4 hourly, Blood ketones (1-2hrly), Blood glucose (1hrly) , Fluid balance, ECG, 2xdaily weights
At what rate is insulin infused at in the treatment of DKA?
0.1unit/kg/hour
What conditions are T1 diabetics monitored for? How often and from what age?
They are screened for thyroid disease and coeliac disease on diagnosis
Blood pressure check for HTN annually
Peripheral neuropathy - foot checks annually
Annual reminder of flu vaccinations
Nephropathy - screening for microalbuminuria annually from age 12
Retinopathy/Cataracts - annually screening from age 12. Ideally should include retinal photography
What if the definition of hypoglycaemia?
Blood glucose <2.6mmol/L
Don’t get this confused with the <2.2 that is required for the insulin tolerance test
What age of children is hypoglycaemia common in?
What factors make hypoglycaemia more common in infants?
In neonates during the first few days of life
Infants have high energy requirements and they also have poor reserves of glucose from gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis so they are at risk of hypoglycaemia on fasting
What clinical features are common with hypoglycaemia?
Headache Dizziness Stomach ache Sweating Pallor
Over what time periods should infants NOT be starved for longer than?
Should not be started for >4 hours
What is ketotic hypoglycaemia of childhood?
How is it generally managed?
How does it progress in the long term
It is when children readily become hypoglycaemic following a short period of starvation. It is probably due to limited reserves for gluconeogenesis
It is usually managed by making sure that the child has regular snacks so that they do not enter levels of hypoglycaemia. Also glucose drinks when ill.
The condition usually resolves spontaneously in later life
If hypoglycaemia occurs with hepatomegaly what may this be suggestive of?
The possibility of an inherited glycogen storage disorder
What are some cause of fasting hypoglycaemia with insulin excess?
Insulinoma Excess administration of endogenous insulin Drug induced (e.g sulphonylurea) Autoimmune (insulin receptor antibodies) Beckwith syndrome
What are some causes of fasting hypoglycaemia without hyperinsulinaemia?
Ketotic hypoglycaemia of childhood
Liver disease
Glycogen storage disease
Hormonal deficiency e.g decreased GH, ACTH, Addison’s disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What are some causes of reactive/non-fasting hypoglycaemia?
Maternal diabetes (child is used to a high level of blood glucose in the body so produce a high level of insulin, however, when they are born the intake of glucose in not as high as the circulating levels whilst in the womb so the enter hypoglycaemia as they are over producing insulin)
What is glycogen storage disease?
A metabolic disorder affecting the enzymes involved in glycogen synthesis, glycogen breakdown or glycolysis, typically within muscles and/or liver cells
What precautions should be taken during treatment of hypoglycaemia?
Care must be taken to avoid giving XS volume as the IV solution is hypertonic and could cause cerebral oedema
What is the aim of newborn screening?
When is it carried out?
What is it also known as?
To detect diseases early so they can be treated before they have irreversible effects
Carried out between days 5-7
Guthrie test
What conditions are screened for on newborn screening?
CF
Congenital hypothyroidism
Hemoglobinopathies
6 inborn errors of metabolism