Electrolyte status in birth asphyxia.
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Date
2010-03
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Abstract
Objective. To study electrolyte status in asphyxiated newborns of different severity in early neonatal period and compare with
controls.
Methods. Sodium, potassium and total calcium levels were estimated in the serum samples of asphyxiated newborns of
different severity and control group immediately after birth.
Results. Mean serum sodium level was significantly lower (122.1 ± 6.0 mEq/L vs 138.8 ± 2.7 mEq/L; P < 0.001), mean serum
potassium was higher (5.05 ± 0.63 mEq/L vs 4.19 ± 0.40 mEq/L; P < 0.001) and mean serum calcium level was found lower
(6.85 ± 0.95 mg/dl vs 9.50 ± 0.51 mg/dl; P < 0.001) in cases than controls. Among cases, a strong positive linear correlation
was found between the serum sodium, serum calcium levels and their Apgar scores, between sodium levels and total calcium
levels and significant negative linear correlation between Apgar scores and serum potassium level.
Conclusion. Among cases, hyponatremia and hypocalcemia developed early and simultaneously and the decrease in their
serum levels was directly proportional to each other and to the degree of asphyxia. Though, mean potassium level was within
the normal limit, the value was higher among cases than controls and directly proportional to asphyxia.
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Keywords
Apgar score, Serum sodium, Serum potassium, Serum total calcium, Perinatal asphyxia
Citation
Basu Pallab, Som Sabyasachi, Das Harendranath, Choudhuri Nabendu. Electrolyte status in birth asphyxia. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2010 Mar; 77(3): 259-262.