Examination of inferi̇or cava vei̇n diameter and descending aorta diameter measurements as an evaluation criteria in acute dehydration

Objective: Acute dehydration is one of the most important childhood mortalities that may be treated today. It may be treated very quickly using simple methods all over the world. The diagnosis is made by the clinical exam ination. In the second evaluation, patients can be examined by blood biochemical tests. Diagnosis and treatment of dehydrated patients are done by subjective evaluation. In this study bedside ultrasonography (USG) was used to evaluate patients who had dehydration with a non-invasive method. Bedside ultrasonography is a highly applicable method with a basic education and it is aimed to be used as an objective method in diagnosis and treatment of acute dehydration. Methods: In this study, 68 children who were admitted to Düzce University Medical Faculty Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department between January and December in 2016 were investigated. 34 chidren were acute dehydrated patients with acute gastroenteritis who required intravenous fluid therapy and the other 34 case who healthy, non-dehydrated were the Control group. Control group formed with cases who had simple symptoms, similar age and gender nearly Patient group, Imaging was done by the anteroposterior measurement of the inferior cava vein and descending aorta diameters with bedside USG in the transverse plane from below the xyphoid protrusion. Patients who were given similar fluid deficit therapy were taken into study. Aorta Diameter (DAD) and Inferior Vena Cava Diameter (IVCD) were measured before and after the treatment of the patient group. Control group's DAD and IVCD were measured one time. Pre-treatment routine examinations were included in the study. Results: We evaluated 34 patients who had dehydrataion and 34 healthy children in the Control group. There were no significant difference in age, gender and weight between the two groups. Patient group's urine output and mucosal hydration were higher sensible than the Control group, in the clinical evaluation (p<0.001). Tears being again significant values were found (p:0.011). In the clinical evaluation before and after treatment, the patients' feeling of thirst (p:0,039), mucosal hydration (p<0,001), tear (p:0,031) and urine volüme (p:0,007) were found significantly. A high sensible value p (<0.001) was obtained, Patient group's IVCD and IVCD / DAD ratio were compared with Control group's IVCD and IVCD / DAD ratio. Similar results (p<0.001) were obtained, before treatment compared with after the treatment. Conclusion: In this study USG measurements of IVCD and IVCD/DAD ratio showed that they might be used as a new diagnostic and objective method in scoring dehydration, diagnosis and treatment. IVCD/DAD ratio availability in acute dehydration was proposed as a possible new evolution method. Keywords: Acute dehydration, acute gastroenteritis, bedside ultrasonography, inferior cava vein, descending aorta diameter.