Introduction
Gastroenteritis is a digestive tract infection that can be caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. The most common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, which can be accompanied by fever and abdominal pain. Encephalopathy is a generalized disorder of cerebral function that may be acute or chronic, progressive, or static. Encephalopathy was defined as depressed or altered level of consciousness, lethargy, or personality change lasting more than 24 h. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and outcome of encephalopathy with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) owing to various metabolic causes such as hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, and hypoglycemia for children younger than five years admitted at the gastroenterology unit.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out at the gastroenterology unit of Assiut University Children Hospital from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 during a period of 1 year. A total of 2236 cases complaining of AGE were admitted during this period, and the study comprised 100 children complaining of encephalopathy with AGE.
Results
Among 100 patients, males were 55% and females were 45%. Overall, 62% were younger than 12 months of age, 35% were within 12–24 months of age, and 3% were above 24 months of age. All 100 patients enrolled in this study had signs of encephalopathy with acute diarrhea. Overalll, 51% had hyponatremia, 46% had hypernatremia, 21% had hypocalcemia, and 13% had hypoglycemia.
Conclusion
Electrolyte disturbances such as hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, and also hypoglycemia are still major causes of encephalopathy with AGE.