A study of serum electrolytes in severe acute malnourished children with and without complications
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Child Health - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Objective: Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are categorized into “complicated and uncomplicated cases” based on clinical criteria alone. Electrolyte imbalance is one of the prognostic factors in severe malnutrition. We aimed to study serum electrolytes in complicated and uncomplicated SAM children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the nutritional rehabilitation center of a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical college from May 2016 to April 2017. Children between the ages of 1 month and 5 years who met the World Health Organization criteria for SAM were included in the study. Serum electrolytes were estimated with an automated analyzer by ion selective electrode method. Results: Among 113 SAM children included, 71 had complications and 42 were without complications. The mean value of serum sodium was 134.58±5.45 meq/L, potassium was 4.29±0.75 meq/L, and chloride was 103.31±7.16 meq/L. Hyponatremia was seen in 43.4% and hypokalemia in 7.1% of children. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of serum electrolytes and frequency of hyponatremia and hypokalemia between groups. Conclusion: Dyselectrolytemia occurs in SAM children with and without complications. Serum electrolyte levels may need to be measured in all SAM cases to detect asymptomatic hyponatremia and hypokalemia. This will help in triaging those with asymptomatic hyponatremia and hypokalemia to inpatient care.
Authors and Affiliations
B Dakshayani, Monisha Ravi, Premalatha R
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP461545
- DOI -
- Views 69
- Downloads 0
Role of probiotics in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates
Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the common emergencies in preterm neonates which are associated with high morbidity and mortality despite recent advances in neonatal care. Probiotics may be one of t...
Prevalence, clinical profile, and laboratory features of hospitalized under-five children with rotavirus-induced diarrhea
Background: Rotavirus is considered as an important causative agent for pediatric diarrhea. Despite recent studies, data available on the prevalence of diarrhea due to rotavirus, among under-five children, are scarce. Ob...
Joubert syndrome: Case report of three affected siblings
Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that has variable phenotype but characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. “Molar tooth” appearance of cerebellar peduncles and “bat-wing” appea...
Parental knowledge on the optional vaccines and the barriers in their use: A rural hospital-based study
Background: Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the vaccines administered under the National Immunization Programme have been studied in different settings; however, studies regarding optional or newer vaccines...
Gender outcome in children with disorders of sex development: A cryptic misfortune
Background: Disorders of sex development (DSD) are an important cause of management dilemma for a clinician, especially due to the difficulty in assigning a suitable sex to them. Not many studies are reported regarding t...