Hyponatremia in children hospitalized at Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

Abstract

Objectives: Acute gastroenteritis is a common illness that leads to significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric population. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of hyponatremia among hospitalized children having acute gastroenteritis. Study Design: Cross-sectional Study. Setting: Unit-ll, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical College and Hospital, Multan. Period: From 1^st January 2018 to 30^th June 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 232 children aged 1-12 years of either sex, clinically assessed cases of acute gastroenteritis with duration of illness < 7 days, were considered. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables while frequencies and percentage were tabulated for the qualitative variables. Post stratification chi-square test was applied to see effects of studied variables and P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Mean age of our study cases was 2.33 ± 2.11 years. Majority of patients, 135 (58.2%) were boys, 143 (61.6%) from urban areas and 161 (69.4%) were having poor socioeconomic status. History of hypotonic IV fluid therapy was positive in 18 (7.8%) and history of ORS intake was positive in 71 (30.6%). Mean duration of illness was 4.19 ± 1.27 days. Mean serum sodium level 135.37 ± 2.20 mEq/L. Hyponatremia was present in 90 (38.8%). Male gender, poor socioeconomic status, no use of hypotonic IV fluid therapy, no intake of ORS and disease duration of >3 days were significantly associated (P value < 0.05) with hyponatremia. Conclusion: Frequency of hyponatremia was high in children with AGE. Male children, poor socioeconomic status, no use of hypotonic IV fluid therapy, no intake of ORS and prolonged disease duration were significantly associated with hyponatremia.