Electrolyte imbalance and hospital length of stay in children with acute gastroenteritis: A cross-sectional analysis at a secondary care hospital

Document Type

Article

Department

Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of electrolyte imbalances in children aged 2-60 months admitted with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and to evaluate their associations with the length of hospital stay (LOS) at a secondary care hospital.
Study design: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from January to December 2023.
Methodology: The data were collected from the patient's hospital medical record on a structured pro forma. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were reported for continuous variables, while frequency and percentage were reported for categorical variables. Associations between electrolyte imbalances and length of hospital stay were assessed using the chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Univariate logistic regression analysis was also done to identify individual predictors associated with prolonged hospitalisation.
Results: A total of 361 children admitted with AGE were included. The mean age was 16.6 ± 12.3 months. Nearly all patients, 98% (352), had decreased bicarbonate levels (acidosis). Other common electrolyte imbalances included hyponatraemia in 34% (123) and hyperchloraemia in 33% (121). Excluding bicarbonate, 5% (18) had problems in all three electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride). There was a significant association between multiple electrolyte imbalances and length of hospital stay (p = 0.006). Univariate analysis also showed significant associations between LOS and hyponatraemia (OR = 1.90 [95% CI:1.07-3.36]), hypochloraemia (OR = 3.18 [95% CI: 1.38-7.33]), and antibiotic use (OR = 2.18 [95% CI: 1.17-4.07]).
Conclusion: Electrolyte disturbances in AGE were significantly associated with length of hospital stay, emphasising the need for early recognition and correction of electrolyte disturbances to optimise patient outcomes and reduce hospitalisation duration.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan

DOI

10.29271/jcpsp.2026.04.493

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