Distribution of Abnormal Laboratory Tests in Patients with Dehydration Due to Gastroenteritis: A Medical Audit Study

Abstract

Background: Gastroenteritis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children, and it accounts for 18% of childhood death. Conducting laboratory tests is challenging for these patients, and the validity of the laboratory studies in treatment and prognosis is in question. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the necessity of performing laboratory tests, and intended to reduce hospitalization costs. Methods: Patients with moderate to severe dehydration due to gastroenteritis, who referred to the emergency ward of Amir Kabir hospital from April to August 2008, were enrolled in this cross- sectional descriptive study. The routine lab tests, including complete blood cell, urine analysis, stool exam and electrolytes were performed, and statistical analysis was done by SPSS software. Results: Of the 610 patients, 0.3% had severe, 99.7% had moderate dehydration, and 42.78% were female. The lab results of the patients revealed the following information: Blood sugar: 97.3%; sodium: 95.5%; potassium: 93.5%; blood creatinine: 95.4%; blood urea nitro: 87.9%; urine analysis: 90.7%; urine culture: 96.8%; stool exam: 83.3%; white blood cell count: 87.7%. However, hemoglobin was found to be 77.4%, which was normal. Conclusions: It is reasonable to evaluate blood urea nitrogen, potassium, and hemoglobin of children with gastroenteritis. Moreover, conducting white blood cell, stool exam, and urine analysis is recommended for those with febrile gastroenteritis, especially in girls younger than two years of age. Overall, conducting all the mentioned tests for these patients is not necessary as a routine, and decision should be made based on the clinical condition of the patients and their doctors’ opinion.