The Frequency of Plasma Sodium and Potassium imbalance in Children Hospitalized with Gastroenteritis in Ahvaz's Golestan Hospital, 2011-2012

Gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases and the main cause of the dehydration and electrolyte abnormality in children. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency of plasma sodium and potassium imbalance in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Ahvaz's Golestan Hospital during two- year period (2011 and 2012).
Subjects and This is an epidemiologic and medical record-based study, which included all admitted children with gastroenteritis at Golestan hospital between 2011 and 2012, in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Patient's data such as the type of electrolyte abnormality, age, sex, type and frequency of diarrhea, severity of dehydration, convulsion, and duration of hospitalization were gathered.
From 252 hospitalized patients, 204 cases were included in this study, of whom 141 patients (69.1%) were male and 63 patients (30.9%) were female. One hundred and eighteen (57.8%) of these patients had plasma electrolyte imbalances. Hyponatremia was the most common type (66.7%) followed by hypokalemia (22.1%).Age, sex, the frequency of diarrhea, severity of dehydration and occurrence of convulsion had significant correlation with the electrolyte abnormalities.
According to the results of this study, electrolyte imbalances are relatively common in children with gastroenteritis. Younger age, female sex, higher frequency of the diarrhea and severity of dehydration, were predisposing factors for electrolyte abnormalities in acute gastroenteritis.Further steps should be taken to educate the society on the use of Standard Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and appropriate fluids in children with diarrhea.