Impact of Hyponatremia on Clinical Presentation and Management in Pediatric Patients with lower Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of hyponatremiaon clinical presentation and management in pediatric patients suffering from lower respiratory infection within 2 hours of admission in ICU and to investigate whether there is link between hyponatremia and the severity and outcome of LRIs. Methods: 100 pediatric patients of age group 2months to 5 years suffering from lower respiratory infections were recruited in the study. Clinical presentation and chest X ray were recorded. Serum sodium levels were assessed to diagnose Hyponatremia (s. sodium<135mEq/L). Appropriate fluid therapy was administered to each patient and impact of hyponatremia over isonatremia was evaluated in patients. Results: 75 were in the age group of 2months to 1year and 25 were in the age group of 1 to 5 years. 63 children had normal sodium levels (Isonatremia) and 33 children had hyponatremiaat the time of admission. Association of clinical symptoms and signs in isonatremic versus hyponatremic patients were not found significant statistically in both age groups (p >0.05). It was evident from these observation that abnormal x ray findings were more common in the hyponatremic cases (p=0.008) than the isonatremic cases (p<0.001). Association of requirement of i/v fluids in hyponatremic versus isonatremic patients was found to be significant statistically in both age groups (p value 0.000). Conclusion:Thus it is concluded that, presence of hyponatremia in LRI's increases the morbidity of these patients as radiographic findings were more common. Therefore, fluid therapy is required more in Hyponatremic patients.

Assessment of serum sodium levels in patients of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children at tertiary care center

“…The study population contained 37 (56.9 percent) males and 28 (43.1 percent) females in the present study. The similar data was obtained in the study done by Attri et al [14] where there were 70% male children and 30% female children and Mhatre et al [15] notes that males with hyponatremia were twice as often affected in acute lower respiratory tract infections as females.The prevalence of hyponatremia in the present study was 33.8%. Out of 33.8% hyponatremia cases, mild hyponatremia found to be [7].…”