All issues > Volume 23(1); 1980

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1980;23(1):24-32. Published online January 15, 1980.

Serum Electrolytes in Acute Infections of the Children.

Y D Known, I J Kang, I K Paik, C M Kang

¹Department of Pediatrics, Presbyterian Hospital Daegu, Korea.

Abstract

This study was conducted of changes of the serum electrolytes for 1410 patients admitted with the acute infections to the Pediatric Department of Presbyterian Hospital in Daegu, during the period of 2 years from Aug. 1975 through July 1977. The results were as follows : 1. Of the 1410 infectious cases, 458 cases (32.5%) showed hyponatremia. Most of the cases(82.5% and 79.0%, respectively ) had normal level of serum K and Cl. 2. Of the 238 enteritis cases, hyponatremia was noted in 109 cases (45.8), hypokalemia in 52 cases (21.9%), and hypochloremia in 72 cases(30.2%). 3. Of 117 cases of viral infection 34cases (29.1%) showed hyponatrumia, 10 cases(8.6%) hypokalemia, and 19 cases(16.2%) hypochloremia. Exanthematous disease and Mumps which can accompany the fever had higher incidence of hyponatremia, 47.1% and 46.2% respectively, contrast to the 17.1% in hepatitis. 4. Among 140 CNS infections, hyponatremia was noted in 47 cases (33.6%). 5. 600 cases of respiratory infections were tested and showed hyponatremia in 147 cases (24.5%). 6. In septicemia, frequency of hyponatremia was almost same as in CNS infections, showed 33.3% of the incidence. 7. No significant hyperelectrolytemia was seen in this study besides 5.3% of hypernatremia in septicemia. 8. Mean values of the electrolytes were low in all cases for serum Na, between 131.16+/-7.18(Enteric infection) and 133.74+/-7.86(Septicemia). Serum Cl showed mean values between 94.83+/-8.57 (Enteric infections )and 99.11+/-8.71(Septicemia). Serum Cl showed mean values between 94,83+/-8.57(Enteric infection) and 99.11+/-8.71(Septicemia). Mean values of serum K were within normal limits in all infectious cases.

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