Socio Demographic Characteristics and Laboratory Evaluation of Children Admitted to Tertiary Care Hospital with Ascites

Abstract

Background:The most important consideration in a patient with a new onset of ascites is to perform a peritoneal tap and to ascertain the cause. A peritoneal tap is also indicated in a patient with known liver disease who presents with sudden clinical deterioration, worsening encephalopathy, or unexplained fever. A missed or delayed diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis could potentially lead to sepsis and significant morbidity & mortality. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy with a quinolone is often recommended. Subjects and Methods: All children with ascites were included in study irrespective of their primary diagnosis. Detailed history, complete physical examination & routine investigations were done in all patients. Ascitic tap was done after taking written consent from the guardian with full aseptic precaution. Results: Diagnostic ascitic tap was done in 48 patients, off which it was clear in 70.83%. In 8 patients the fluid was hazy in appearance suggestive of possibly infective origin either due to elevated protein or cells. One patient had milky appearance of ascetic fluid that suggests chylous nature of it. Conclusion: Proteinuria (33.3%), Hypoalbuminemia (42.16%), reversed AG ratio (34.3%) & hypercholesterolemia (37.2%) were present all together in 33.3% (34) patients suggestive of Nephrotic syndrome.