Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common causes for which pediatric patients are admitted. The present study was conducted to assess clinical profile and pattern of water and sodium disturbances in children suffering from diarrhoea with dehydration. Materials & Methods: 110 children of age 6 months to 5 years admitted in Pediatric ward with diarrhoea with dehydration of both genders were selected. Children were managed as per standard WHO protocol, adequately hydrated and serum electrolytes were repeated as and when required. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium 145 meq/L. Results: The mean serum sodium level at admission was 135.6mEq/L, duration of diarrhoea was 14.2days, number of loose stools per day was 11.5, duration of vomiting episodes was 2.9 days, number of vomiting episodes per day was 3.4 and duration of hospital stay was 3.8days. Hyponatremia was seen in 14 male and 16 females. Hypernatremia in 16 males and 9 females and isonatremia in 37 males and 18 females. Age group 6 months- 1 year had 10, 10 and 20 and 1 year- 5 years had 20, 15 and 35. Nutritional status was normal seen in 16, 12 and 22, grade I PEM in 6, 4 and 5, grade II PEM in 4, 5 and 4, grade III PEM in 3, 3 and 2 and grade IV PEM in 2, 1 and 2 having hyponatremia, hypernatremia and isonatremia respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of hyponatremia and hypernatremia in children is quite high (nearly 40%). Malnourished children and children taking improperly diluted WHO ORS were at a significantly higher risk of developing hyponatremia or hypernatremia. Key words: Acute gastroenteritis, children, diarrhoea

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