Pattern Of Renal Analytes Following Renal Function Assessment Of Infants In A Tertiary Health Facility In Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Electrolyte imbalance is a common finding in infants, and the story is so in the tropical countries, where most patients are usually victims of fluid losses from various etiologies. This study is aimed at assessing the profile and pattern of electrolytes imbalance and other parameters of renal function assessmentamong infants (0-12 months) in our environment.

Methods/Subjects

This cross-sectional study was carried out over a 6-month period on infants who wereadmitted into University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and investigated forelectrolyte, urea and creatine, after a hospitalstay of ≥24 hours. Blood samples were taken from such patients, analyzed and values obtained were compared with the reference intervals to ascertain the level of deviation from the expected normal for age.

Results

The total number of children that participated on the study was 200, made up of 106(53.0%)males and 94(47.0%) females. The children were classified based on their different ages from 0 to 12 months. Children aged 0-1month made up the bulk of the study population (57.0%). Low level of bicarbonate occurred in 65.5% of all the children. Hyponatremia (37.7%) and Hyperkalemia (28.9%), occurred in 0 -1month age group. These derangements have been known to contribute negatively to the outcome of the admitted infant if not corrected. Most of the infants had normal values of the individual electrolytes.

Conclusion

In view of the fact that infants are more vulnerable to electrolyte imbalance, prevention of electrolyte imbalances is preferable to treatment.