Changes in electrolyte and blood urea in cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis, age between 18 to 60 years both male and female were studied from Biochemistry Deptt, PGMI and Medical I, Services Hospital, Lahore. Out of total 49 patients were found to be positive for hepatitis B virus and 23 percent for hepatitis C virus. Serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase was highly significant (p<0.001, while alanine transferase moderately and total protein was non-significantly reduced. Blood urea was normal for majority of patients. Serum electrolytes were normal for potassium but decrease in sodium was non significant. Increase in serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, slight decrease in serum sodium and normal potassium were frequent findings in liver cirrhosis.