title: Point-of-Admission Serum Electrolyte Profile of Children less than Five Years Old with Dehydration due to Acute Diarrhoea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fluid, electrolytes and acid base disturbances are responsible for most deaths due to acute diarrhoea. The aim of this study is to describe the point-of-admission serum electrolyte profile of children with dehydration due to acute diarrhoea.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, the serum electrolyte levels of 185 children with dehydration due to acute diarrhoea were assessed at the point of admission at the Diarrhoea Treatment and Training Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The age of the study population ranged from 29 days to 59 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 185 subjects, 30 (16.2%), 114 (61.6%), and 41 (22.2%) had severe, moderate and mild dehydration, respectively. In addition, hyponatraemic dehydration was the most common type of dehydration, accounting for 60.5% of cases. Metabolic acidosis and hypokalaemia occurred in 59.5% and 44.3% of cases, respectively. Only the serum bicarbonate level was significantly affected by degree of dehydration (p = 0.001). Age of more than 12 months and presence of vomiting were significantly associated with hyponatraemia (p = 0.005 & p = 0.02), while age of less than or equal 12 months and absence of vomiting were associated with metabolic acidosis (p = 0.04 & p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree of dehydration appears to be a good predictor of the occurrence of metabolic acidosis while age is a risk factor for hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara , Delta State Nigeria.
authors: Matthias Mariere
authors: MM
authors: Okposio
authors: Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City , Edo State Nigeria.
authors: Alphonsus Ndidi
authors: AN
authors: Onyiriuka
authors: Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City , Edo State Nigeria.
authors: Blessing Imuetiyan
authors: BI
authors: Abhulimhen-Iyoha
keywords: Electrolytes; acid-base; acute diarrhoea; dehydration