Perspectives In Medical Research (Aug 2020)
Assessment of Renal Functions in Infants with Acute Gastroenteritis and Dehydration
Abstract
Background: Acute gastroenteritis is a very common illness in neonates and infants and it is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in third world countries. Most of the complications are due to excessive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance adversely affecting kidney functions. Renal failure is one of the critical causes of morbidity in these children. Aim: We in the present study tried to evaluate the renal functions in infants with acute gastroenteritis reporting to our tertiary care teaching Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was performed on n=100 infants with gastroenteritis admitted into the Emergency service room of Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Naganoor, Karimnagar. The degree Dehydration was assessed both clinically and hematologically. Blood samples for estimation of leucocyte count, Urea, Creatinine, and electrolyte estimation were drawn initially on admission and subsequently, blood culture, urine culture, and radiologic procedures were undertaken whenever indicated. Result: There are 16 cases with Blood urea more than 84 mg, indicating 16% of renal failure in the total number of cases studied, taking blood urea more than 20 mg as the criterion. But considering urinary output there are 18 cases with urinary output less than 300 ml/1.73 M 2 /24-hours. All these cases show creatinine values of more than 1.5 mg%. The glomerular filtration rate is decreasing as the severity of dehydration is increasing and fractional excretion of Sodium is diminishing with an increase in the severity of dehydration. Conclusion: The biochemical parameters like serum creatinine, blood urea, the urinary volume must be routinely in all cases of dehydration along with urinary indices like FeNa and R.F.I to detect the early onset of acute tubular necrosis. Prompt administration of intravenous fluids in acute gastroenteritis will go a long way in minimizing the mortality and morbidity among the infants.
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