Changes in Serum Electrolytes, Urea, and Creatinine in Septicemic Patients in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Septicemia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and often results in biochemical disturbances affecting kidney function and electrolyte balance. This study evaluated changes in sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea, and creatinine levels among 50 children aged 1–16 years, consisting of 25 septicemic patients and 25 healthy controls at ESUTH, Nigeria. Urea and creatinine were analyzed using the Berthelot and Jaffe methods, while electrolytes were measured using ion-selective electrodes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. The results showed a significant decrease in sodium and bicarbonate levels in the septicemia group, while potassium showed a slight but non-significant increase, and chloride levels showed no meaningful difference. Urea and creatinine were higher in septicemic patients, although not statistically significant. Age-based analysis revealed more pronounced reductions in sodium and bicarbonate among children aged 7–16 years. These findings reflect electrolyte imbalance and early renal functional alterations resulting from systemic infection and inflammatory response in septicemia.