A STUDY OF HYPOKALEMIA IN ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING IN DAHOD GUJARAT

Organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) are common pesticides used in agriculture in India. In this study, totally 24patients had hypokalemia. Of 39 male patients,20 patients (51.3%) had hypokalemia. Of 11 female patients, 4patients(36.4%)had hypokalemia. Of 50 patients totally, 14 had hyponatremia(<135 meq/dl) which constitutes 28%. Ofthis 6 patients had hypokalemia which accounts for 42.9%of hyponatremia.Of 24 patients with hypokalemia this 6 casesof hyponatremia accounts for 25%. Hypokalemia increases both morbidity and mortality in organophosphoruscompound poisoning significantly.Hypokalemia can be used as a reliable and a cost effective marker of morbidity andmortality in organophosphorus compound poisoning