Objective: To determine the frequency of sodium and potassium abnormalities (hyponatremia and hypokalemia)

in children presented with acute diarrhea.

Study Design: Prospective Study

Place and Duration: Study was conducted at Pediatric department of North West General Hospital, Peshawar

during the period from July 2020 to June 2021 (for one Year).

Methodology: One hundred and thirty patients of both genders having age upto 5 years presented with acute

diarrhea were enrolled in this study. Clinical examination was done after taking written informed consent from

patients parents/guardians. Blood sample was taken and sent to laboratory to examine sodium and potassium

levels. Data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0.

Results: There were 72 (55.38%) males while 58 (44.62%) patients were females with mean age 2.38±1.52

years. Mean disease duration was 3.54±1.33 days. Hyponatremia was found in 40 (30.77%) patients and

hypokalemia was observed in 52 (40%) patients.

Conclusion: Sodium and potassium abnormalities are very common in children with acute diarrhea and can lead

to high rate of morbidity and mortality. We concluded that frequency of hyponatremia and hypokalemia were very

high in children with acute diarrhea.

Keywords: Acute Diarrhea, Hyponatremia, Hypokalemia, Children