IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-2-17904 Original Research Paper Serum Electrolyte Level as a Marker of Morbidity in Critically Sick Children: A Study from a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital Amit Das Dr. Dr. Souti Biswas Dr. February 2019 8 2 01 02 ABSTRACT

 ObjectivesTo find out the association between dyselectrolytemia and morbidity in critically ill children and also to evaluate the association between degree of hyponatremia and morbidity. Material And Methods– Children aged 1 month–12 yrs, admitted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) were included in the study. This was a hospital based, observational, cross sectional study. Morbidity was defined as PICU stay > 5 days.     Results– Total 200 children aged 1 mo–12 yrs were included in the study. Abnormal serum sodium level and abnormal serum potassium levels were significantly associated with increased hospital stay (p value 0.000). Association between degree of hyponatremia and hospital stay was also significant. (p value 0.003). ConclusionElectrolyte abnormalities are common in critically ill children and contribute to significant morbidity