Sodium and Potassium Imbalances in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to examine the spectrum of sodium and potassium disorders in a pediatric emergency department.

Material and Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and single-center. Patients under the age of 18, who were admitted to the pediatric emergency clinic for any reason except trauma, between 2017 and 2020 and were found to have sodium and/or potassium disorders in their examinations were included in the study. The admission diagnoses and electrolyte levels of the patients were recorded. Electrolyte disturbances were grouped as mild, moderate, and severe.

Results: A total of 757 patients were included in the study. Of these, 358 (47.3%) were female and 399 (52.7%) were male. Single electrolyte disturbance was detected in 649 (85.8%) of the participants, while mixed type electrolyte disturbance was detected in 108 (14.2%). The most common electrolyte disturbance in the patients was hyponatremia (56%). This was followed by hyperkalemia (27.5%), hypokalemia (19.9%) and hypernatremia (10.8%). Acute gastroenteritis was the most common underlying disease in both the single and mixed electrolyte disorder groups.

Conclusion: Our study detects that the most common electrolyte disturbances in pediatric emergency services occur in patients with gastroenteritis. These disorders were often of mild severity. Mild electrolyte disturbances may be subclinical, so routine electrolyte measurement in the pediatric emergency room is important for early diagnosis.

Keywords

• electrolyte imbalance
• pediatric emergency
• potassium
• sodium

Çocuk Acil Kliniğinde Sodyum ve Potasyum Bozuklukları: Tek Merkez Deneyimi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada çocuk acil servis başvurularında sodyum ve potasyum bozuklukları spektrumunun incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırmamız kesitsel ve tek merkezlidir. 2017-2020 yılları arasında çocuk acil kliniğine herhangi bir nedenle başvurup tetkiklerinde sodyum ve/veya potasyum bozukluğu tespit edilen, 18 yaşından küçük hastalar çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hastaların başvuru tanıları ve elektrolit düzeyleri kaydedildi. Elektrolit bozuklukları hafif, orta ve şiddetli olarak gruplandırıldı.

Bulgular: Çalışmaya toplam 757 hasta dahil edildi. Bunların 358 (%47.3)’i kız ve 399 (%52.7)’u erkekti. Katılımcıların 649 (85.8%)’nda tekli elektrolit bozukluğu saptanırken 108 (%14.2)’nde mikst tipte elektrolit bozukluğu saptandı. Hastalarda en sık rastlanan elektrolit bozukluğu hiponatremiydi (%56). Bunu sırasıyla hiperkalemi (%27.5), hipokalemi (%19.9) ve hipernatremi (%10.8) izledi. Akut gastroenterit, hem tek hem de mikst elektrolit bozukluğu gruplarında en sık altta yatan hastalıktı.

Sonuç: Çalışmamız, çocuk acil servislerinde en sık elektrolit bozukluklarının gastroenteritli hastalarda meydana geldiğini saptamıştır. Bu bozukluklar genellikle hafif şiddetteydi. Hafif elektrolit bozuklukları subklinik olabilir, bu nedenle pediatrik acil serviste rutin elektrolit ölçümü erken tanı için önemlidir.

Keywords

• elektrolit bozuklukları
• Çocuk acil
• potasyum
• sodyum

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