Blood Electrolytes Changes after Burn Injury Ikpe Vitalis
Department Biochemistry
Caritas University, Enugu, Nigeria
Email:ikpeforsuccess@yahoo.com
&
Alumonah Emmanuel
Biochemistry Department
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Abstract
Sixty five patients (35 males and 30 females, aged 16 – 45 years, average 30 years) admitted to the Burn unit of a regional burn centre, National Orthopeadic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, were investigated for serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine. The patients were divided into four groups according to percent total body surface area (%TBSA) affected by the burn. Healthy individuals (16 -45 years) who had no burn were used as control. Blood collection started on the first day of admission at 2-day intervals for 3weeks and weekly for the next 9 weeks. The results showed biochemical anomalies following burn Injury. The patients demonstrated significant (P< 0.05) decreases in the serum concentration of sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. Patients with 15-34% TBSA showed slight decreases while patients with 75% TBSA burn and above had marked decreases. In this group, potassium level was elevated form a control range of 4.0±0.5 mmol/l to 5.50±0.45 mmol/l and the mean urea concentration was 44±20mg/100ml compared with mean control value of 27.5±12.5 mg/100ml. Serum creatinine was increased to 1.7±0.7mg/100ml from a control value of 1.05±0.35mg/100ml. Serum sodium decreased to 131.5±2.5mmol/l from 141±4.0mmol/l, chloride decreased to 92±5.0mmol/l from 102.5±7.5mmol/l and bicarbonate decreased to 20.5+ 2.5mmol/l from a control value of 25.0±3.0mmol/l. Aggressive monitoring of electrolytes is necessary for proper assessment of the extent of the initial disturbances and the response to therapy.
Keywords: Burn, Electrolytes, Anomalies
