Which of the following metabolic derangement is associated with congenital pyloric stenosis?
The question is asking about the metabolic derangement associated with CPS. The options aren't provided, but the correct answer is likely related to the electrolyte changes from persistent vomiting. In cases of vomiting, especially in infants, the loss of gastric contents (which are rich in H+ and K+) can lead to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. However, in CPS, there's also significant loss of chloride because gastric juice has a high concentration of HCl. So, the loss of HCl would lead to hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis.
Wait, but metabolic alkalosis is characterized by elevated bicarbonate levels. The loss of hydrogen ions in the stomach contents would lead to the body retaining bicarbonate to compensate. So, the primary issue here is hypokalemia and hypochloremia with metabolic alkalosis. Let me confirm: yes, in pyloric stenosis, the vomiting leads to loss of HCl (hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis) and potassium because the vomiting leads to increased aldosterone secretion, which promotes K+ excretion in the kidneys. So the main metabolic issues are hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and metabolic alkalosis.
Now, considering the options that might have been presented, the correct answer would be metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia and hypochloremia. The other options might include things like metabolic acidosis (which is wrong because the loss of H+ ions leads to alkalosis), hyperkalemia (wrong because K+ is lost in vomiting), or other electrolyte imbalances.
So, the core concept here is understanding the electrolyte and acid-base disturbances caused by pyloric stenosis. The key points are the loss of gastric HCl leading to metabolic alkalosis, and the associated hypokalemia and hypochloremia. The other options would be incorrect because they don't align with the pathophysiology of this condition.
**Core Concept**
Congenital pyloric stenosis (CPS) causes **hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis** with **hypokalemia** due to excessive gastric fluid loss. Vomiting leads to H+ and Cl- depletion, triggering renal HCO3- retention and K+ wasting via aldosterone-mediated pathways.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Persistent vomiting in CPS results in loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl), creating **hypochloremia** and **metabolic alkalosis**. The kidneys compensate by retaining bicarbonate (HCO3-), exacerbating alkalosis. Concurrent **hypokalemia** arises from aldosterone-stimulated renal K+ excretion despite volume depletion. This triad reflects the hallmark metabolic derangement in CPS.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Metabolic acidosis* is incorrect because HCl loss causes alkalosis, not acidosis.
**Option B:** *Hyperkalemia* is incorrect