Diabetic ketoacidosis: Pathophysiology and clinical and laboratory presentation

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complex disease process with multiple horm onal abnormalities that cause various deleterious fluid and electrolyte cha nges in both animals and humans. Pathogenesis of DKA involves a relative ex cess ratio of glucagon to insulin. Other hormones influencing DKA include c ortisol, epinephrine, and growth hormone. Abnormal physical examination and clinicopathologic findings result from these hormonal changes.