The Metabolic Acidosis and Clinical Outcome in Acute Infantile Diarrhea

ABSTRACT

To determine the types of metabolic a cidosis using anion gap in acute infantile diarrhea and to correlate it with clinical outcome, we examined 103 infants admitted with acute diarrhea. The serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus), creatinine, CO2 content and anion gap were measued on first admission day. They were classified group A with normal anion gap (8~16mEq/L) and group B with increased anion gap (>16mEq/L). The results were as follows. 1) The number of group A with normal anion gap (11.6+/-3.3mEq/L) was 62 and the number of group B with incresed anion gap(21.1+/-5.5mEq/L) was 38. 2) The duration of diarrhea was significantly prolonged in group B (9.0+/-2.5 days), compared with group A (5.9+/-1.1 days)(p<0.001). 3) The duration of admission was significantly prolonged in group B(5.6+/-2.2 days), compared with group A (4.+/-01.4days)(p<0.001). 4) Infants in group B, compared with group A, were significantly more severe dehydrated (p.