Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Electrolyte Disturbances in Children Hospitalized with Acute Gastroenteritis
Abstract
Background: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a leading cause of paediatric hospitalization and is frequently complicated by potentially severe electrolyte disturbances. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, specific patterns, and clinical correlates of serum electrolyte abnormalities in children admitted with AGE. Material and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 50 children aged 6 months to 12 years hospitalized with AGE. Patient demographics, clinical dehydration status (classified via World Health Organization guidelines), and admission serum sodium and potassium levels were analysed. Statistical measures, including relative risk (RR) and odds ratios (OR), were utilized to quantify the clinical impact of dehydration on the likelihood of developing electrolyte imbalances. Results: Overall, 18% of the cohort exhibited serum electrolyte abnormalities. Hyponatremia emerged as the most common derangement, comprising 66.7% of all detected abnormalities and affecting 12% of the overall study population. Conversely, hypokalaemia (4%) and hypernatremia (2%) were infrequent. A highly significant statistical association was established between clinical dehydration and biochemical derangement. Electrolyte disturbances occurred in 75 % of clinically dehydrated children, compared to merely 7.1% of those presenting without dehydration. Consequently, dehydrated children faced a profoundly elevated risk of electrolyte imbalance, demonstrated by a relative…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Design to Improve Acceptability of Medicines: Similarities and Differences in Paediatric and Geriatric Populations
- Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
- Phase 2b Study of Pimodivir (JNJ-63623872) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Oseltamivir for Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza A: TOPAZ Trial
- Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Disease: Implications for the Gastroenterologist
- Persistent gut barrier damage and commensal bacterial influx following eradication of Giardia infection in mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.