Study of laboratory profile in children with acute gastroenteritis with reference to acid-base and electrolyte imbalance

Abstract

Background: Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children. Electrolyte disturbances may remain unrecognized, results in increased morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to assess the spectrum of electrolyte and acid base disturbances in children with acute gastroenteritis with relationship to mortality. Methods: In this prospective clinical study total patients selected were 210, admitted in paediatric ward and paediatric intensive care unit of tertiary care hospital over a period of 2 years. All patients enrolled in the study were classified according to WHO guidelines, monitored clinically and investigated for electrolytes and arterial blood gas analysis. The data collected was compiled, tabulated, analyzed and subjected to statistical tests done using SPSS. Results: In the present study total acute gastroenteritis patients were 210 in which 57.14% were males and 42.86% were females. Out of 210 patients 85.71% patients had some dehydration, 14.29% patients had severe dehydration. Incidence of isonatremia was 74.29%, hyponatremia was 20.47, hypernatremia was 5.24%, hypokalemia was noted in 4.76% of patients. Out of 210 patients metabolic acidosis was observed in 12.86%. Time taken for correction of electrolyte imbalance after standard treatment was 81.25% of patients in < 24 hour,10.94% of patients in 24-48 hours, 6.25% patients in >48 hours, not corrected in 1.56% of patients. Conclusion: Our study concluded that most common electrolyte imbalance in acute gastroenteritis was hyponatremia followed by hypernatremia and hypokalemia. Metabolic acidosis was common in severe dehydration compared to some dehydration. Our study shows monitoring of electrolyte and acid base levels to decrease morbidity, mortality in acute gastroenteritis.