Prevalence of electrolyte disorders among cases of diarrhea with severe dehydration and correlation of electrolyte levels with age of the patients

Objective: To find out the prevalence of electrolyte disorders among children with severe dehydration, and to study correlation between age and electrolyte, urea and creatinine levels

Study Design: Prospective, analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: Outdoor and indoor of Fazle-Omar Hospital, Rabwah, Pakistan, from January to December 2012

Methodology: All patients from birth to 18 years age, presenting with diarrhea and severe dehydration were included in the study. Urea, creatinine and electrolyte levels of all patients included in the study were checked and recorded in the data form with name, age and outcome. The prevalence of electrolyte disorders were ascertained and correlation with age was determined by Pearson's coefficient

Results: At total of 104 patients were included in the study. None of the patients died. Hyperchloremia was the commonest electrolyte disorder [53.8%], followed by hyperkalemia [26.9%] and hypernatremia [17.3%]. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremia were present in 10.6%, 7.7%, and 10.6% cases, respectively. Weak negative correlation was found between age and chloride and potassium levels

Conclusion: Different electrolyte disorders are common in children with diarrhea-related severe dehydration

Platelet counts, MPV and PDW in culture proven and probable neonatal sepsis and association of platelet counts with mortality rate

To determine frequency of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis, the MPV [mean platelet volume] and PDW [platelet distribution width] in patients with probable and culture proven neonatal sepsis and determine any association between platelet counts and mortality rate. Descriptive analytical study. NICU, Fazle Omar Hospital, from January 2011 to December 2012. Cases of culture proven and probable neonatal sepsis, admitted in Fazle Omar Hospital, Rabwah, were included in the study. Platelet counts, MPV and PDW of the cases were recorded. Mortality was documented. Frequencies of thrombocytopenia [< 150000/mm[3]] and thrombocytosis [> 450000/mm[3] were ascertained. Mortality rates in different groups according to platelet counts were calculated and compared by chi-square test to check association. Four hundred and sixty nine patients were included; 68 [14.5%] of them died. One hundred and thirty six [29%] had culture proven sepsis, and 333 [71%] were categorized as probable sepsis. Thrombocytopenia was present in 116 [24.7%], and thrombocytosis was present in 36 [7.7%] cases. Median platelet count was 213.0/mm[3]. Twenty eight [27.7%] patients with thrombocytopenia, and 40 [12.1%] cases with normal or raised platelet counts died [p < 0.001]. Median MPV was 9.30, and median PDW was 12.30. MPV and PDW of the patients who died and who were discharged were not significantly different from each other. Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of neonatal sepsis. Those with thrombocytopenia have higher mortality rate. No significant difference was present between PDW and MPV of the cases who survived and died