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Plasma electrolyte pattern of children with protein energy malnutrition and children with prolonged diarrhoea
1Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Insights
Children with prolonged diarrhea and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) show significant electrolyte deficits. Prompt replacement therapy is crucial for managing these deficiencies in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Chemistry
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Prolonged diarrhea and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) are significant health concerns in children.
- Electrolyte imbalances are common complications in these pediatric conditions.
- Understanding plasma electrolyte patterns is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the plasma electrolyte patterns in children experiencing prolonged diarrhea and PEM.
- To establish expected electrolyte values for these conditions.
- To determine the necessity of electrolyte replacement therapy.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study design.
- Analysis of plasma electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate).
- Inclusion of clinically manifested PEM and prolonged diarrhea cohorts, compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Similar electrolyte values observed between children with PEM and those with prolonged diarrhea without severe malnutrition.
- Marked deficits in all estimated plasma electrolyte parameters were identified.
- These deficits were statistically significant (P < 0.001) compared to control groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with prolonged diarrhea and PEM exhibit significant plasma electrolyte deficits.
- The findings underscore the critical need for electrolyte replacement therapy in these pediatric patients.
- Establishing expected electrolyte values aids in timely and appropriate clinical intervention.
Abstract:
We studied the plasma electrolyte pattern of children with prolonged diarrhoea and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) as compared to controls to show the values to be expected and to determine the need for replacement therapy. Sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate values were found to be similar in 54 children with clinically manifested PEM and 65 children with prolonged diarrhoea who had no full blown malnutrition. There were marked deficits in all the parameters estimated. Values were found to be statistically significant at P < 0.001 when compared to controls.