ABSTRACT

Aim: To study serum electrolyte derangements among children with acute diarrhea presenting with dehydration.

Design of study: Cross-sectional and descriptive study in department of Paediatrics, Nishtar Hospital, Multan for six months i.e. from 01-05-2019 to 31-10-2019.

Methodology: 188 children having acute diarrhea with dehydration were included. Five ml of blood was drawn and estimation of serum Sodium and potassium levels were done.

Results: In 188 cases, 118 (62.8%) were males and 70(37.2%) were females. Mean age was 2.5±1.5 years. Of these 188 cases, some dehydration was noted in 118(62.8%) cases and 70(37.2%) cases had severe dehydration. Hyponatremia was noted in 118(62.8%) cases and hypokalemia was noted in 77(41%) cases.

Conclusion: High frequency of hyponatremia and hypokalemia was seen in our study in children with acute diarrhea and dehydration. Hyponatremia and hypokalemia was significantly associated with age, gender and grades of dehydration.

Keywords: Acute Diarrhea, hypokalemia, Dehydration