Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality among infants globally; it is increasingly gaining recognition as an inflammatory disease affecting multiple body systems. This study evaluated the electrolyte imbalances and alterations in liver enzyme profile among infants admitted with pneumonia and their association with disease severity, sex, and type of pneumonia.
Methodology: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 363 babies diagnosed with pneumonia in the age group of 1 to 12 months. Data on demographics, clinical, and biochemical parameters was collected and analyzed. Blood levels of serum electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride as well as liver enzymes like ALT, AST, and ALP were measured. Independent sample t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi square, and Pearson correlation test were employed for statistical analysis.
Results: Findings from the data showed that electrolyte disorders were quite common, with hyponatremia (33.1%) and hyperchloremia (58.4%) being the most common electrolyte disorder. It was discovered that most of the subjects had normal values of their liver enzymes. However, a good percentage had elevated levels of ALT (26.7%), AST (16.3%), and ALP (20.9%). The ANOVA test indicated there were no significant differences in electrolyte levels based on the severity of the illness while liver enzymes significantly elevated with the degree of illness (p<0.001). From the chi-square test, a considerable relationship existed between the level of illness severity, electrolyte disorder, and liver enzymes disorder. No significant correlation was observed between biochemical findings and gender and pneumonia. The correlation study found significant positive correlations between sodium and chloride as well as ALT, AST, and ALP but not between electrolytes and liver tests.
Conclusion: In summary, abnormalities in liver enzymes and electrolyte are common among infants with pneumonia and have a very strong association with illness severity