Question

Review the following diagnostic tests outlining why they would be ordered with suspeted Rotavirus : CBC, EKG and electrolytes?

Answer 1

Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis which causes diarrhoea among children.

1.

CBC counting is needed for the suspected patient with rotavirus. Through CBC examination hemoglobin, leukocyte, platelet count, mean platelet volume ( MPV) , platelet distribution width, platelet crit ( PCT) levels, platelet distribution width ( PDW) & platelet crit ( PCT) levels are assessed . Due to rotavirus infection mean MPV levels , mean PCT value , mean of platelet counts all these parameters' values show difference among the cases with mild, moderate & severe groups of rotaviral gastroenteritis. Hb is lower in cases, Mean of platelet count is higher in cases, Mean MPV is lower & Mean PCT value is higher in cases. Platelet is mainly acute phase reactant in rotavirus infection & so is the platelet crit value. So this type of abnormalities related with rotavirus infection can be indicated through CBC for the rotavirus suspected patient.

2. EKG ( Electrocardiogram) is a painless simple procedure to measure the heart's electrical activity. It is mostly needed during the severe cases of rotavirus infection. It has been shown that the patient is severely effected with this may experience seizures which can happen two or more times & it's mainly caused by the brief period of ventricular fibrillation followed by asystole. To detect the cause of seizure if it appears ,to detect any severity in earlier stage or to check the electrical activity of the heart wheather it is properly working or not the EKG is important in this case to prevent any further complication related to rotavirus this diagnostic procedure will be ordered.

3. Electrolyte imbalance is very common in rotaviral diarrhoea in children. Various types of electrolyte imbalance is usually seen due to this infection. Hypernatremia( serum sodium level >145 mEq/L), hyponatremia ( serum sodium level < 135mmol/l) , hypokalemia ( serum potassium level <3 mEq/L) are mostly occurred in this case. Hypernatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance which is usually seen in rotavirus infection. To predict all these electrolyte abnormalities & to start proper management for rotavirus suspected patient the electrolyte diagnostic test in important.