Study of Serum Electrolytes and Blood Sugar Changes in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at the serum electrolyte status of malnourished children with and without diarrhoea/vomiting in order to manage serum electrolyte abnormalities in cases of severe acute malnutrition. This prospective observational hospital based study (n=112) carried out at a tertiary care hospital. The enrolled subjects was divided into 2 groups: those who had diarrhoea and/or vomiting (Group A; 42: 37.5%) and those who did not (Group B; 70: 62.5%). 1.5 mL of venous blood in an EDTA vial and 2 mL of venous blood in a plain vial were drawn and sent straight away for further analysis. All patients had the following tests: Blood glucose; CBC; Serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca++). Other investigations, like KFT, ESR, LFT, Urine (R/M), and Stool (R/M) were undertaken to corroborate the diagnosis whenever clinical indicated. Males (65; 58.03%) outnumbered females (47; 41.96%). 73.21% of the patients were between the ages of 6 and 24 months. SAM is more common in lower socioeconomic status 74 (66.07%).SAM was associated with hypokalemia in 7 children, (16.66%), hyponatremia in 6 children (14.28%), hypernatremia in 2 children (4.76%), hypocalcemia in 3 children (7.14%) and hypoglycemia in 3 children (7.14%) in group A (n=42). SAM in Group B (n=70) were associated with hypokalemia in 3 children (4.28%), hyponatremia in 9 children (12.85%), hypernatremia in 5 children (7.14%), and hypocalcemia in 4 children (5.71%). Out of 112 SAM children, 79 children were cured (70.53%). 60 of the 79 cured children (or 75.94%) had achieved their target weight, but just 8 of the 30 defaulter children (or 26.66% of them) had. Electrolytes changes are prevalent in malnourished children, and they can be subclinical or manifest during diarrhoea/vomiting. Although frequency of hypoglycemia was low, measurement of blood sugar and serum electrolytes are helpful to avoid life threatening situation. Despite recent breakthroughs in medicine and technology, severe acute malnutrition remains a problem. Faulty feeding habits, poor supplementary feeding practises, confusion about children's nutritional needs, frequent illnesses, big family size, and low socioeconomic level are all predictors of severe malnutrition. Aside from literacy, there is an urgent need to educate mothers on nutrition, low-cost diets, and breast-feeding methods in order to prevent and treat childhood malnutrition.