A Clinico-epidemiological Profile of Hyponatremic Dehydration in Acute Gastroenteritis Patients: Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study to evaluate the clinical Features of Hyponatremic
Dehydration in Acute Gastroenteritis.
Methods: The Prospective, Observational study was conducted in the Dept of pediatrics,
Vardhman institute of medical sciences, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Bihar, India, for 2 years.
A total of 100 Children including neonates are enrolled in the study. Patients with
watery diarrhoea of 4 or more episodes per day, age group less than 12 years, signs
and symptoms suggestive of mild dehydration and without any other severe complications
were included in this study.
Results: 100 cases were studied and analyzed to detect Gastroenteritis associated
dehydration and its clinical features as a possible risk factor for hyponatremia. It was
found that 64% of the males were having acute gastroenteritis while it was 36% in
female subjects. Hyponatremia was occurred in 35 subjects with high incidence in lower
age group in both the genders. Males (35.94%) were more effected than females
(33.33%). Among 100 individuals, 34% were severely dehydrated and rest of them were
moderately dehydrated (66%). The number of episodes of loose stools were correlating
with the extent of dehydration. Vomiting were associated with diarrhea in 64 subjects
whereas 36 subjects were only complained of diarrhea. The subjects who were severely
dehydrated showed both the manifestations of diarrhea and vomiting except 15 individuals. Only 8 individuals showed hypokalemia without hyponatremia. About 5
subjects showed hypokalemia with hyponatremia.
Conclusions: The Incidence of diarrhea peaks in children less than 1 year of age and
then decreases as age increases. The analysis of clinical presentation revealed that
vomiting and fever were frequent accompanied with hyponatermic dehydration.