ELECTROLYTE DISTURBANCES IN PAEDIATRIC DENGUE FEVER: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Background:Dengue fever is a major mosquito-borne viral infection with variable clinical manifestations ranging from mild febrile illness to severe dengue with life-threatening complications. Electrolyte disturbances, particularly hyponatremia and hypokalemia, have been increasingly recognized as important contributors to morbidity in dengue patients, yet paediatric data from India remain limited. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of electrolyte disturbances in paediatric dengue patients and analyse their correlation with disease severity. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru,over a 12-month period (January 2024 – December 2024).A total of 160 children (<15 years) with confirmed dengue infection and available serum electrolyte values at admission were included. Electrolyte disturbances were defined using standard cut-offs: hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L), hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L), and abnormal chloride (<96 or >105 mEq/L). Clinical severity was classified according to WHO 2009 guidelines. Data were analysed using Chisquare and ANOVA tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Hyponatremia was the most frequent abnormality, affecting 41.9% of patients, and showed a significant association with disease severity (p = 0.007). Severe dengue cases exhibited the lowest mean sodium levels (132.67 ± 2.34 mEq/L). Hypokalemia was less common (3.1%), while hyperkalemia was seen in 3.8%.Chloride abnormalities were present in 17.5% of cases,though without significant correlation to severity. Other laboratory parameters, including thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, hepatic enzyme elevation, and renal dysfunction, worsened in parallel with electrolyte derangements. Conclusion: Electrolyte disturbances, especially hyponatremia, are common in paediatric dengue and correlate with clinical severity. Routine electrolyte monitoring is essential to anticipate complications and improve outcomes.