Assessment of Renal Function Status and Electrolyte Imbalances in Paediatric Patients with Acute Glomerulonephritis

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is a frequent glomerular disease in children, which is associated with hematuria, proteinuria, high blood pressure, and edema that can cause severe renal failure and electrolyte imbalances. Early detection of renal function status and electrolyte profiles is the key to the maximum benefit of clinical outcomes in the vulnerable population. This study aimed to determine the renal function condition and electrolyte imbalance among children with acute glomerulonephritis. Methods & Materials: This study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Parkview Medical College & Hospital, Sylhet, from January 2025 to June 2025. A total of 60 children aged between 1 and 14 years and diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis participated in the study by the purposive sampling method. Demographic information, clinical data, and laboratory data such as serum creatinine, blood urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate) were collected and entered into SPSS version 26 for further analysis. Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify links between renal impairment and electrolyte imbalances. Results: The age of the participants was 8.7±3.1 years, and a majority of them were males (60%). Hematuria (100 percent) and periorbital edema (86.7 percent) were very common and hypertension (68.3 percent) was the most common clinical feature. 65% Of patients had a raised serum creatinine; 70% of patients had a lowered eGFR under 90 ml/min/1.73m². The most common electrolyte imbalance was hyponatremia (46.7%), then hyperphosphatemia (35%) and hyperkalemia (31.7%). Impaired renal function was strongly linked with hyponatremia (p = 0.04) and hyperkalemia (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Renal dysfunction and electrolyte imbalances are very common in paediatric acute glomerulonephritis patients. Timely and regular laboratory check-ups, especially of sodium and potassium levels, are required to avoid life-threatening complications in children with the disease.