Temperature on admission among cases of neonatal sepsis and its association with mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of hyperthermia and different categories of hypothermia among the cases of probable and culture-proven neonatal sepsis, and to evaluate association of mortality rate with axillary temperature at admission. METHODS: This analytical study was conducted at Fazl-e-Omar Hospital, Rabwah, Pakistan, from January to December 2013, and comprised all cases of culture-proven and probable neonatal sepsis admitted in the neonatal intensive-care unit of the hospital. Using World Health Organisation classification, cases were categorised according to their temperature on admission, and outcome was recorded. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 374 patients, 47(12.6%) died. Besides, 217(58%) cases had normal temperature, 49(13.1%) had hyperthermia, 50(13.4%) had mild hypothermia, and 58(15.5%) had moderate hypothermia. Mortality rate was high among cases with mild and moderate hypothermia i.e. 15(32.6%) and 15(33%), compared with the mortality rate in cases with normal temperature i.e. 12(6.1%). Mortality rate among cases with hyperthermia was 5(11.6%). In early onset cases, 33(16.2%) had mild and 45(22.1%) had moderate hypothermia. In late onset cases, 37(21.8%) had hyperthermia. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases with neonatal sepsis had normal temperature. Mild and moderate hypothermia were found to be associated with higher mortality rate.

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.