The Pattern of Electrolyte Imbalance in Critically Ill Children admitted in Pediatric Emergency Unit at Sohag University Hospital

Background: Electrolyte abnormalities are one of the common medical problems that should be addressed well in hospitalized children. Electrolyte abnormalities could occur due to underlying illness or incorrect management with fluid input. Electrolyte disorders have a significant impact on patient outcomes; treating physicians usually pay attention to the underlying medical illness but preventable and manageable electrolyte disorders are often overlooked. Objective: To identify the pattern of electrolyte imbalance in critically ill children in the pediatric emergency unit at Sohag University Hospital. Patients and methods: We included 150 children aging from one year to 12 years age, presenting with manifestations suggesting electrolyte imbalance coming to the pediatric emergency unit at Sohag university hospital, the period from May 2018 to May 2019. Results: Hypocalcaemia was the most common electrolyte imbalance accounted for (83.33 %) of studied cases, followed by hypokalemia accounted for 96 (64.00%) of studied cases, then hyponatremia accounted for 54 (36.00%) of studied children, then hypernatremia accounted for 31 (20.67%) of studied children, followed by hyperkalemia accounted for 23 (15.33%) of studied cases. According to our study, it was found that children with hypernatremia had an 8.9 times higher risk of dying, AOR 8.92, 95% CI, 2.26:35.24 than children with normal sodium levels. As regard to our study, we found that children with hyperkalemia had 8 times higher risk of death than children with normal potassium level (AOR=8.07, 95% CI, 1, 39-47, 00). Conclusion: Electrolyte abnormalities are common in children admitted to the emergency with an underlying medical illness and contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Preventive measures in high-risk patients and early treatment would decrease morbidity and mortality.