Hyperuricemia in diarrheal dehydration

Serum uric acid levels were measured in 133 dehydrated patients admitted with diarrhea. Elevated levels were found in 80% of the patients; the highest was 38 mg/dL. Serum uric acid was correlated with serum urea nitrogen and the levels tended to be higher in patients with hypernatremia. The serum uric acid levels returned toward normal with rehydration, and no specific therapy was necessary.