Capillary versus Serum b-hydroxybutyrate in Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE

To find the strength of agreement between point-of-care and serum b-hydroxybutyrate.

METHODS

236 paired samples (capillary b-hydroxybutyrate by a point of care device and serum b-hydroxybutyrate by colorimetric enzymatic estimation) samples were collected from 26 children aged <13 years admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. Inborn errors of metabolism and septic shock were excluded.

RESULTS

Capillary b-hydroxybutyrate showed excellent agreement with serum â-hydroxybutyrate with mean (SD) bias of 0.027 (0.78); 95% limit of agreement -1.51, 1.56 and intraclass correlation 96.1% (95%CI 95%-97%, P<0.001). An increase in the bias noted for value above 5 mmol/L (P<0.001) (serum measurements were higher than capillary point-of-care measure-ments). Capillary â-hydroxybutyrate correlated significantly with blood pH, anion gap,bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels on blood gas analysis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Capillary b-hydroxybutyrate estimation is a valid method for monitoring of ketonemia in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis.