Electrolyte Disorders in Children

Electrolyte Disorders in Children

Electrolytes are minerals found in the body’s blood and tissues in the form of dissolved salts. Electrolyte disorders occur when there is an imbalance between the amount of water and essential minerals in the blood, urine, and other bodily fluids.

When this happens, it can affect the normal function of the brain, heart, liver, and other organs.

Your child gets electrolytes from foods and drinks. Electrolytes function to:

  • Keep the amount of fluids in the body in balance.
  • Help your child’s muscles, body organs, and nerves work properly.
  • Help your child develop bones and teeth.

When your child’s body has too much water or not enough water, it can cause abnormally high or low levels of certain electrolytes, such as:

  • Sodium.
  • Potassium.
  • Calcium.
  • Magnesium.
  • Phosphate.
  • Chloride.

What are the causes?

There are many reasons why your child may have abnormally low or high levels of certain electrolytes. Possible causes include:

  • Not having enough fluid or water in the body (dehydration).
  • Drinking too much water (overhydration).
  • Certain medicines, such as:
    • Medicines that cause the body to lose excess fluid (diuretics).
    • Heart medicines.
    • Chemotherapy.

What increases the risk?

Young children and babies are at particularly high risk for electrolyte disorders because of their small size and fast metabolism. Your child may be at greater risk for an electrolyte disorder if he or she has:

  • Diabetes or kidney disease.
  • Heart disease.
  • Liver disease.
  • Diseases that affect the bones or bone marrow.
  • Adrenal or parathyroid gland disorders.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Mild electrolyte disorders may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may vary depending on which mineral level is abnormally high or low. Possible symptoms include:

  • Dark urine.
  • Less frequent urination.
  • Thirst.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Lack of tears when crying.
  • Wrinkled skin.
  • Loose stools or fewer bowel movements.
  • Irritability.
  • Cold hands and feet.
  • Low energy or sluggishness.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Muscle twitches or cramps.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Confusion.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Jerky, involuntary movements (seizures).
  • Loss of consciousness.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on your child’s medical history and a physical exam. Your child’s health care provider will ask about your child’s overall health and any symptoms that he or she has, including signs of dehydration. Your child may also have blood and urine tests.

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your child’s condition. The goal of treatment is to help restore your child’s electrolyte balance. Treatment may involve one or more of the following:

  • Fluid replacement. This may include:
    • Stopping certain medicines.
    • Having your child drink water, suck on ice chips, or drink an electrolyte solution.
    • IV fluids, in severe cases.
  • Diuretics.
  • Electrolyte replacement. This involves taking certain electrolytes as supplements or medicine. In severe cases, electrolytes may need to be replaced through an IV tube.

Follow these instructions at home:

Have your child take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.

  • Do notgive your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
  • Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Have your child rest and return to normal activities as told by your child’s health care provider. Ask your child’s health care provider what activities are safe.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

In many cases, electrolyte disorders can be prevented by making sure that your child is properly hydrated. Have your child drink 6–8 glasses of water a day.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child has no energy.
  • Your child’s has symptoms of dehydration that are getting worse. Symptoms of dehydration may include:
    • Dry, sticky mouth.
    • Irritability.
    • Decreased tears or no tear production.
    • Sleepiness.
    • Having no wet diapers or very few wet diapers for 6–8 hours.
    • A sunken soft spot on the head (fontanelle).
    • Dark-colored urine.
    • Headache.
    • Dizziness.
  • Your child has diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 weeks.
  • Your child is not able to drink fluids without vomiting.

Get help right away if:

  • Your child becomes confused.
  • Your child has a rapid heart rate.
  • Your child has trouble breathing.
  • Your child has a seizure.
  • Your child loses consciousness.
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