approximately 1% of children in DKA have some degree of cerebral edema, and up to 25% of them may die
known risk factors include the following:
younger children (especially <5 years)
new onset or newly diagnosed
increased BUN at presentation
severity of acidosis at presentation
bicarbonate therapy use
failure of sodium to improve following therapy
References
Glaser N, Barnett P, et al. Risk factors for cerebral edema in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. N Engl J Med 2001;344:264.
