seruM urea, creatinine and electrolyte status in Patients Presenting witH acute gastroenteritis

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to estimate the serum urea, creatinine and electrolyte status
of patients presenting with acute gastroenteritis. Sixty patients who presented to Kathmandu
Medical College and Teaching hospital from 15 June to 15 July 2005 with acute diarrhea with or
without associated vomiting, causing dehydration severe enough to require hospital admission
were investigated for serum urea, creatinine and electrolyte level. Out of 60 patients investigated,
serum sodium and potassium level were available for 34 patients. Only one (2.9%) patients had
sodium level below 135mEq/l, thirty two (94.11%) had sodium level between 135-146 mEq/l and
one (2.9%) had sodium level above 146mEq/l. Similarly 9 (26.47%) patients had potassium level
below 3.5mEq/l, 22 (64.70%) patients had potassium level between 3.5-5 mEq/l and 3 (8.82%)
patients had level above 5 mEq/l. Serum urea and creatinine level were available for 47 patients.
36 (76.59%) patients had serum urea level between 15-45mg/dl and 11 (23.40%) patients had urea
level above 45 mg/dl. 35 (74.46%) patients had serum creatinine level between 0.5-1.4 mg/dl and
12 (25.53%) had serum creatinine level above 1.4 mg/dl. In this study hypokalaemia was noticed
more than hyponatremia and significant number of patients also showed increased level of serum
urea and creatinine. Therefore, serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes should be closely monitored
in patients with acute gastroenteritis.

Key Words: Acute gastroenteritis, urea, creatinine, electrolyte.