Frequency of Hypokalemia and Hyponatremia in Malnourished Children Presenting with Acute Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the frequency of Hypokalemia and hyponatremia in malnourished children presenting with acute diarrhea

Study design: A cross-sectional study

Place and Duration: Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women (PUMHS-W) Nawabshah Pakistan from January 2021 to July 2021.

Methodology: A total of 106 children from the age of six months up to five years of either gender with acute diarrhea of fewer than 14 days were included in the study. Hyponatremia was considered with a value lower than 135mmol/L. However, hypokalemia was considered with values lower than 3.5 mmol/L. After participants were enrolled, demographic information such as their gender, age, name, and address was obtained. Every child was evaluated by getting a comprehensive history from the mother/attendant about the duration and frequency of diarrhea, as well as assessing the patient's weight.

Results:-The present study showed that the mean onset of diarrhea was 3.2 ± 0.9, days. A total of  71 (66.9%) children had diarrhea for 1-3 days and 35(33%) had diarrhea for up to 7 days. A total of 59 (55.6%) children had hypokalemia, 31 (29.2%) children had hyponatremia, and 11 (10.3%) had both hyponatremia and hypokalemia whereas 5 (4.72%) had normal electrolytes.

Conclusion: Hypokalemia and hyponatremia are the most common electrolyte abnormalities observed in diarrheal episodes. Malnutrition along with diarrhea aggravate the situation, thus leading to serious complications.