COMPLICATIONS AND OUTCOME OF DISEASE IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE INTENSIVE CARE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY UNIT- CAIRO UNIVERSITY

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 204 patients admitted to the intensive care of Gastroenterology Unit in Abu- Reisch Hospitals was done, to identify various complications and outcome. All patients were admitted with a history of diarrhea. Mean age of patients admitted was 8 months. 72.1% of these seriously ill patients recovered, 27.9% died. '

The complications elicited were sodium disturbances (67.7%), potassium disturbances (56%), septicemia (38.7%), shock (29.9%), pneumonia (23.5), CNS infections (6.9%) and bleeding tendency (4.9%). The principle cause of death were recorded as hypernateremia and septicemia. Severe malnutrition was noted as an associated underlying disorder contributing to the outcome of these children.

Recognition of these complications or illness in seriously ill diarrheal patients and their timely and energetic management are vital in achieving low hospital mortality