Signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus and interventions for the management of diabetic ketoacidosis: scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To identify the most prevalent signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1) in children and adolescents, as well as the signs and symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), its complications, and the nursing and medical interventions indicated for its management. Method: This is a scoping review, carried out in the LILACS, PUBMED, SCOPUS, LIVIVO, and Embase databases, with additional search in gray literature. The data were analyzed qualitatively. Results: We found 840 studies in the search, but only 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. The most frequent signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of DM1 were polydipsia (83%), polyuria (78%), and weight loss (56%). DKA symptoms were variable. The main complications of DKA were cerebral edema and death and transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit and continuous infusion of intravenous insulin were the most recommended interventions. Conclusion: Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of DM1 plays an important role in patient management, leading to rapid initiation of treatment and relevant interventions, thus preventing the occurrence of complications.