Point of Admission Serum Electrolyte Profile of Children with Acute Diarrhoea in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Aim and Objective: This study aimed to describe the point-of-admission serum electrolyte profile of children with acute diarrhoea and to determine the associated factors.

Materials and Methods: The serum electrolyte at admission, bio data, clinical features and outcome of children aged 29 days to 15 years with primary diagnosis of acute diarrhoea, seen between January 1^st, and December 31^st, 2016 in the department of Paediatrics, UDUTH, Sokoto, were retrospectively analysed.

Results: Of the total of 154 subjects, 101(65.6%) were males giving a M: F ratio of 1.9: 1. Majority, 140(91.0%) were ? 36 months. Twenty four (15.6%), 105(68.2%), 14(9.1%) were mildly, moderately and severely dehydrated respectively while 11(7.1%) were not dehydrated. Hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia and metabolic acidosis occurred in 100(64.9%), 67(43.5%) and 21(13.6%) subjects, respectively. There were 10(6.5%) deaths. Only potassium level was significantly affected by degree of dehydration (p = 0.02). Duration of diarrhoea greater or equal to 3 days and greater or equal to 7 days before presentation was significantly associated with metabolic acidosis and hypokalaemia (p= 0.03 and 0.001) respectively. Diarrhoea duration more than 3 days and under nutrition were associated with death.

Conclusion: The degree of dehydration appears to be a good predictor of the occurrence of hypokalaemia. Diarrhoea duration is a risk factor for metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia and death. We recommend intensified community health education on appropriate home treatment and prompt hospital presentation once diarrhoea duration is more than three days, to prevent deleterious diarrhoea consequences.