CORRELATION OF HYPONATREMIA WITH SEVERITY OF ACUTE LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte condition that occurs in hospitalised children, occurs often on admission in patients with pneumonia, and is considered to have a worse outcome.

Aims & objectives: Our research aims to compare the level of sodium with the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections and their prognosis.

Material & Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study of 300 children aged 6 months to 5 years admitted with acute lower respiratory infections confirmed by chest x-ray. Both clinical results have been reported and serum sodium levels and other investigations have been requested. To determine their role in predicting the seriousness and prognosis of the disease, the relationship of hyponatremia with other clinical and laboratory parameters was studied.

Results: Our analysis showed that 48% of admitted children in the study group had hyponatremia at admission, 34% had mild hyponatremia, 13% had moderate hyponatremia. The most consistent symptom was cough (98%), 60% of subjects in the sample had mild to moderate pneumonia, and 40% had extreme pneumonia. There was hyponatremia for 71 percent of consolidation, 59 percent of bronchopneumonia and 100 percent of empyema cases. Initial high temperature, tachycardia, leukocytosis, enhanced neutrophil count with large p values were correlated with hyponatremia. The majority of hyponatremic cases of extreme pneumonia (60 percent) and hyponatremia were associated with extended hospital stay and mechanical ventilation requirements (91 percent) and higher mortality.

Conclusion: Our research shows that there is a greater risk of developing hyponatremia for serious pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia and empyema. In acute lower respiratory infections, hyponatremia has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, fluid control in children with acute lower respiratory infections must be handled properly.

Keywords: Hyponatremia, Pneumonia, Empyema.