Monitoring serum electrolyte levels in pediatric inpatients receiving IV fluids: A hospital based prospective study.

Dr. Ejas Rahiman P.; Dr. Prakash R M Saldanha; Dr. Sahana K.S

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2017

Monitoring serum electrolyte levels in pediatric inpatients receiving IV fluids: A hospital based prospective study.

Dr. Ejas Rahiman P. , Dr. Prakash R M Saldanha, Dr. Sahana K. S

Abstract :

BACKGROUND: Managing fluids and electrolytes in children is an important skill for the treating pediatrician, who can play an important role in monitoring therapy. Increasing evidence has shown that hypotonic maintenance fluids can lead to potentially fatal hyponatremia in cases of excess antidiuretic hormone (ADH) production. Although it is well established that isotonic saline should be used for fluid resuscitation in children to raise circulatory volume while preventing the development of hyponatremia, it has not been an accepted practice to use isotonic saline as a maintenance fluid. Hence, this study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of IV fluid in managing electrolyte imbalance.

METHODOLOGY: A hospital based prospective study was done on 50 children admitted in the Pediatric ward, receiving IV fluids. Serum electrolytes were tested for the children at the time of admission and after 24 hours of starting IV fluids.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement in serum sodium levels following administration of IVF from 139.7 ± 3.2 mg/dl to 140.8 ± 2.7 mg/dl with a p value of 0.001 (strongly significant); an improvement of 1.14 ± 1.04 mg/dl for those children receiving isotonic fluid.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate use of IV fluids is important to avoid electrolyte imbalance especially hyponatremia in hospitalised children.