ABSTRACT
Background: Dyselectrolytemia is a common accompaniment of acute diarrheal illnesses and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Aim: To study the incidence and identify the risk factors for developing dyselectrolytemia in children getting admitted with acute diarrhoea. Study design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Detailed history, examination, and investigations were recorded in specially designed proforma. Serum electrolyte levels were measured at admission in all the study subjects and correlated with clinical presentation and demographic profile. Results: Out of 107 children, 64.5% had no dehydration, 31.8% had some dehydration, and only 3.4% were severely dehydrated at the time of admission. Most common electrolyte abnormality were hyponatremia(25.2%) and hypochloraemia (25.2%), followed by hypokalaemia (11.2%), hyperchloremia (9.3%) and hypernatremia (6.5%). The degree of dehydration was found to significantly affect serum electrolyte profile (p value<0.05). Hyponatremia (41%), hypokalaemia(26.5%), and hypochloraemia(35%) were seen more commonly in patients with some dehydration, while a higher proportion of patients with severe dehydration had hypernatremia (50%) and hyperkalaemia (25%). Consumption of diluted ORS was significantly associated with the development of hyponatremia (73.9%), hypokalaemia(34.8%), and hypochloraemia(56.5%) p value<0.05. Conclusion: Dyselectrolytemia is a common accompaniment of diarrheal dehydration, the most common being hyponatremia. The severity of dehydration and dilute ORS administration are important risk factors for dyselectrolytemia.