Effect of management on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in children with nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Primary nephrotic syndrome (NS) and acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) are known to cause varying degrees of renal insufficiency depending on the severity. Certain drugs and management strategies used in these two disorders also have profound effect on the serum electrolyte and urea profiles. This study determines the effect of management on the profile of serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in children with NS and AGN. A retrospective analysis of the biochemical profiles of children admitted with a diagnosis of NS and AGN between 1996 and 2004 was carried out. A total of 21 and 16 children with AGN and NS respectively met the study criteria. There was no significant difference in the serum sodium, potassium and urea in both groups during the study except at the 4^th week. The prevalence of hypokalemia in both groups of children was low. The serum sodium and potassium were significantly low compared to those with AGN in the 4^th week, while the serum urea and creatinine was higher in NS patients in the same period. There was also generally a low prevalence of hypokalemia throughout the study period. While the study may have confirmed the occurrence of electrolyte imbalance following the use of diuretics, it has also shown that the prevalence of such electrolyte imbalance in the first 4 weeks of treatment is rather low and insignificant despite using significant dose of the drug.

The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13(1) 2006: 18-22