Alterations in serum electrolytes in congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a study in Nigerian children

Summary

This is a retrospective analysis of serum electrolyte values recorded at presentation in 20 infants who had pyloromyotomy for congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (CHPS) during a 5-year period at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. All patients showed disturbance of the normal serum electrolyte pattern which, with one exception, was characterized by metabolic alkalosis associated with normal potassium levels in cases presenting early and metabolic alkalosis with hypokalaemia in cases presenting 3 weeks or later from the onset of symptoms. Late presentation of CHPS occurred much more frequently in this series than is reported from Europe and America.