Serum Electrolyte Abnormalities in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition Admitted to a Paediatric Ward in Kebbi State

Electrolyte abnormalities are a major cause of mortality in children with severe acute malnutrition, and their characterization in the specific clinical and dietetic context of northwestern Nigeria is essential for improving case management protocols. This study documents serum electrolyte profiles in children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to the paediatric ward of Kebbi State General Hospital, Birnin Kebbi. Seventy-eight children aged six to fifty-nine months meeting WHO criteria for severe acute malnutrition were enrolled. Diagnosis was confirmed by mid-upper arm circumference below 115 millimetres, weight-for-height z-score below negative three, or presence of bilateral pitting oedema. Venous blood samples were collected on admission before nutritional rehabilitation. Serum sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were measured using ion-selective electrode and colorimetric methods on an automated analyser. Results show that hypokalaemia was the most prevalent electrolyte abnormality, affecting 69 percent of children. Hyponatraemia was present in 47 percent and hypomagnesaemia in 53 percent. Hypophosphataemia was detected in 41 percent of cases and hypocalcaemia in 38 percent. Children with kwashiorkor showed more severe electrolyte disturbances than those with marasmus, consistent with oedema-driven fluid shifts. Hypernatraemia was present in 8 percent of dehydrated cases. The high burden of multiple simultaneous electrolyte deficiencies highlights the need for comprehensive electrolyte profiling at admission for evidence-based electrolyte replacement in malnutrition management in Kebbi State. Keywords: electrolyte abnormalities, severe acute malnutrition, children, hypokalaemia, Kebbi State.