DKA
Medical abbreviation · Endocrinology & Diabetes
| Stands for | Diabetic ketoacidosis |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DKA stands for Diabetic ketoacidosis, an endocrinology & diabetes abbreviation.
Life-threatening complication of insulin deficiency in which the body burns fat for fuel, producing ketone acids that cause metabolic acidosis along with high glucose and dehydration. It is most common in type 1 diabetes and is treated with IV fluids, an insulin infusion and careful potassium replacement.
Example: DKA: glucose 486, pH 7.12, bicarbonate 9, beta-hydroxybutyrate 6.1; insulin drip per protocol.
Usage notes
Common triggers are missed insulin doses, infection, new-onset diabetes and pump failure. Kussmaul breathing and a fruity breath odor reflect the acidosis. Euglycemic DKA, with near-normal glucose, can occur with SGLT2 inhibitors, pregnancy or starvation. A 2024 international consensus updated diagnostic thresholds to glucose of 200 mg/dL or more (or known diabetes), ketones of 3.0 mmol/L or more and pH below 7.3 or bicarbonate below 18.
Related abbreviations
More endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations
- CAH – Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- CGM – Continuous glucose monitor
- CS – Cushing's syndrome
- CSII – Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
- DFU – Diabetic foot ulcer
- DI – Diabetes insipidus
- DM – Diabetes mellitus
- DPN – Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- DST – Dexamethasone suppression test
- FNA – Fine-needle aspiration
- FPG – Fasting plasma glucose
- FSH – Follicle-stimulating hormone
See all 64 endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.