Total body potassium, acid-base status and serum electrolytes in acute diarrhoeal disease.

Total body potassium (TBK), acid-base status and serum electrolyte concentrations were measured in 49 children suffering from acute diarrhoeal disease, on admission and after rehydration. The TBK was usually low and the lowest values were found in those with the lowest pH. There was no relationship between TBK and serum sodium or potassium concentrations. Hyponatraemia was common as would be expected in a series containing many underweight children.