Plasma electrolyte pattern of children with protein energy malnutrition and children with prolonged diarrhoea.

We studied the plasma electrolyte pattern of children with prolonged diarrhoea and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) as compared to controls to show the values to be expected and to determine the need for replacement therapy. Sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate values were found to be similar in 54 children with clinically manifested PEM and 65 children with prolonged diarrhoea who had no full blown malnutrition. There were marked deficits in all the parameters estimated. Values were found to be statistically significant at P < 0.001 when compared to controls.