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A CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF SERUM LEVELS OF CALCIUM (Ca), SODIUM (Na) AND POTASSIUM (K) IN THE SAM (SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION) CHILDREN

: Objective: We aimed this research to assess the serum levels of calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) in SAM cases and also compared their association in the absence and presence of diarrhoea. Methods and material: Our cross-sectional research was carried out at Services Hospital, Lahore from March 2016 to July 2017. We included children in the age bracket of 6 – 59 months who were diagnosed with SAM and also hospitalized. Two groups were made out of the total research participants as Group – I and II having respectively diarrhoea cases and non-diarrhoea cases. Blood samples were also drained for the serum of calcium, sodium and potassium. Results: A total of one hundred hospitalized children were included in the research with a mean age of (23.56 ± 13.80) months. Male children had dominance over females as males were 62% and females were 38%. Mean values of sodium, potassium and calcium serums was respectively (138.46 ± 4.14) mmol/L, (3.961 ± 0.691) mmol/L and (8.359 ± 0.61) mg/dl. Diarrhoea cases were included in Group – I (67) and Non-diarrhea cases were included in Group – II (33). In Group I and II the mean level of sodium serum was respectively (138.51 ± 4.22) and (138.36 ± 4.05) mmol/L with a significant P-value of (0.10). The level of potassium serum was (3.89 ± 0.67) and (4.1 ± 0.72) respectively in Group – I and II with a significant P-value as (0.009). The level of calcium serum was (8.39 ± 0.6) and (8.34 ± 0.73) in Group – I and II with a P-Value of (0.71). Isolated hyponatremia was reported in Group – I and II respectively as 10.4% & 9.1% (P-Value = 0.83); whereas, an isolated hypokalemia in Group – I and II was respectively 26.9% & 18.2% with a significant P-value of (0.34). Conclusion: SAM patients whether with diarrhoea or without diarrhoea were commonly reported for electrolytes disturbances.