All issues > Volume 37(3); 1994

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1994;37(3):332-338. Published online March 15, 1994.

The Metabolic Acidosis and Clinical Outcome in Acute Infantile Diarrhea

Ae Yeon AY Lim¹, Yo Ahn YA Rho¹, Kee Hwan KH Yoo¹, Joo Won JW Lee¹, Soon Kyum SK Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Korea University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

To determine the types of metabolic acidosis using anion gap in acute infantile diarrhea and to correlate it with clinical outcome, we examined 103 infants admitted with acute diarrhea. The serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus), creatinine, CO2 content and anion gap were measured on first admission day. They were classified group A with normal anion gap (8~16 mEq/L) and group B with increased anion gap (>16 mEq/L). The results were as follows. 1) The number of group A with normal anion gap (11.6¡¾3.3mEq/L) was 62 and the number of group B with incresed anion gap (21.1¡¾5.5mEq/L) was 38. 2) The duration of diarrhea was significantly prolonged in group B (9.0¡¾2.5days), compared with group A (5.9¡¾1.1days) (p<0.001). 3) The duration of admission was significantly prolonged in group B (5.6¡¾2.2days), compared with group A (4.0¡¾1.4days) (p<0.001]. 4) Infants in group B, compared with group A, were significantly more severe dehydrated (p<0.001). 5) Infants in group B demonstrated significant elevations of total protein, creantinine, phosporus, compared with group A (p<0.001). 6) Growth parameters such as weight, head circumference and chest circumference were significantly lower in group B than group A, but there was no significant difference between two groups in height (p<0.05). In conclusion, infants with increased anion gap in acute diarrhea associated with severe dehydration, prolonged diarrhea and prolonged duration of admission. Therefore, we suggest that in acute infantile diarrhea, the anion gap can be used in clinical treatment and determination of prognosis.

Keywords :Anion gap, Infantile diarrhea