Hyponatraemia in Community Acquired Bacterial and Tubercular Meningitis in Hospital Admitted Adult Patients

Background: Bacterial and Tubercular Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. Hyponatraemia in bacterial and tubercular meningitis is a known complication with unknown true prevalence and clinical importance. This study was conducted to find out how commonly hyponatraemia occurs in community acquired bacterial and tubercular meningitis, to evaluate its severity, to see the pattern of presentation and to observe the level of consciousness. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study performed in 30 admitted patients with clinically diagnosed bacterial and tubercular meningitis in medicine wards of Medical College for Women & Hospital (MCWH) and Dhaka Medical College & Hospital (DMCH) since August 2009 to March 2010. Serum electrolyte and level of consciousness on admission was recorded in all patients. Results: Twenty Nine patients (96.7%) with meningitis had hyponatraemia, serum sodium level ranged from 115-138 mmol/l; mean sodium level is 128.57 ± 5.56 SD mmol/L. Serum sodium level was mild (>125-135 mmol/L) in 20 (66.7%) patients with meningitis and moderate (110-125 mmol/L) in 9 (30%) and severe (