imbalance due to peritoneal irritation which leads to sequestration of fluid, electrolyte and colloid in the adynamic, distended intestine, leading eventually to severe acidosis. The present case is a good example of this electrolyte imbalance, i.e. hyperkalaemia, hypernatraemia, uraemia and acidosis. This bizarre biochemical picture is a helpful pointer to the diagnosis when an emergency retro...

Exchange transfusion is a hazardous procedure with a mortality of 4-7 5%. (van Praagh, 1961; Boggs and Westphal, 1960). Various complications may lead to sudden death in which hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidosis, citrate toxicity, circulatory overloading, hypothermia and embolism have been incriminated (Farquhar and Smith, 1958). The mode of death in these cases, whatever the aetiology, is u...