Study of Mortality in Children With Electrolyte Abnormalities in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Electrolyte abnormalities are common in ill children requiring the intensive care. As the electrolytes play an important role to maintain homeostasis and has impact on the final outcome of the patient, the present study was undertaken. The aims of this study was to determine the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities in children admitted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the time of admission, primary organ involvement seen and the mortality associated with it. Methods: The study enrolled all the patients from 1 month to 12 years admitted in PICU of a tertiary care hospital during January 2019 to June 2020 (18 months). The children were divided according to the presence or absence of electrolyte abnormality. The organ system involved was analyzed in each group. Results: The prevalence of electrolyte abnormality in terms of sodium and potassium in the present study was 55.56% (100 of 180). The most common electrolyte abnormality was hyponatremia (30.6%) followed by hypokalemia (20.6%). The mortality in children with electrolyte abnormality was significantly higher than mortality in those without electrolyte abnormality and was found to be 51.7% in the present study. Maximum children with hyponatremia had infections (23.6%) and those with hypernatremia had gastrointestinal involvement (17.6%). Hypokalemia was most frequently seen in cases of respiratory involvement (27%) and hyperkalemia seen in renal involvement (25%). Conclusion: There is significant association of the electrolyte abnormalities at admission in PICU with mortality and primary system involvement, which was seen in the present study. Close monitoring and correction of electrolyte abnormalities reduces the mortality in ill children.