Electrolytes are compounds and elements occurring naturally in the body. They help the body in controlling various physiological processes. Electrolyte abnormalities are conditions caused due to overproduction or underproduction of the electrolyte fluids in the body. The abnormalities manifest as seizures, lethargy, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmias (NYU Langone ealth, 2019). Mostly, these abnormalities occur as secondary signs to other underlying conditions and the symptoms being experienced might be due to the primary conditions and not electrolyte imbalances. For the body to maintain a healthy conditions of nerve and muscles in the body it should have enough amount of electrolytes including minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and certain acids.
Dehydration is one of the most common cause for losing fluids and electrolytes. When the body losses too much fluids quickly than it can replace the fluids then there is a potential risk of a child developing fluid or electrolytic imbalance. Some of the common causes of dehydration include fever, excessive sweating and some medications such as diuretics. Depending on the electrolytes that are out of control, signs and symptoms vary too. Calcium, potassium and sodium are among the most common electrolytes that causes frequent imbalances. Visits to pediatrician and emergency departments are frequent for infants and children since they are mostly affected by these abnormalities. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately identify such abnormalities for the correct treatment procedure to be administered.
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Calcium is one of the major elements that cause electrolytic imbalances. Too much or too little production of calcium in the body can cause a child to develop various ailments such as temporary abnormal heart rhythm, kidney stones, muscle spasms, abdominal pain and weakness. Various abnormalities are brought about by different levels of production of elements in the body. Presence of high calcium levels in the body causes chronic diseases such as kidney disease or disorders such as thyroid disorder (Madiraca and Hoch, 2019). Nutritional disorders too can also be attributed to calcium levels in the body and it is mostly caused by production of calcium that is way below the normal calcium levels.
Vomiting, excessive sweating, diarrhea, and taking medications such as diuretics or laxatives are lead to conditions such as potassium deficiency (Healthline, 2019). For children who suffer from diabetics their potassium levels may be low due to buildup of ketones which is a by-product of fat breakdown. Abdominal cramping and low blood pressure are examples of symptoms showing deficiency in potassium. Potassium levels are regulated by the kidney and adrenal glands. The kidney is responsible for preventing minerals from being removed from the body through urine and thus a poor functioning kidney fails to do so leading to deficiency in calcium levels. Adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones that regulate the blood pressure and metabolism. When they are affected they lead to high potassium levels in the blood which can be life threatening as it interferes with the heart rhythm.
Sodium is an essential element in the body that helps in regulating the fluid levels of the body. Symptoms showing sodium imbalance in the body include swelling, confusion, seizures, lethargy, weakness and coma. Some of the conditions that lead to imbalance are dehydration, kidney diseases and severe burns. The most common cause for these fluid and electrolyte disorders is hydration. Therefore, it is important to keep children hydrated at all times to prevent contracting the disorders and especially if a child is suffering from other medical conditions. When initiating treatment it is recommended to consider the potential risk of the electrolytic disorder and the treatment. Disorders that may be termed as long-lasting can be corrected slowly while those that are acute treatment can be rapid to correct the situation (Rahman et al, 2017).
References
NYU Langone Health. (2019). Types of fluid and electrolyte disorders in children. Retrieved from: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/fluid-electrolyte-disorders-in-children/types
Healthline. (2019). Understanding electrolyte disorders. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/electrolyte-disorders
Madiraca, J., & Hoch, C. (2018). Electrolyte series: Calcium and phosphorus. Nursing2019 Critical Care , 13 (2), 24-31.
Rahman, F., Siddique, M. A. B., Hassan, M. W., Bari, M. N., & Ahmed, F. (2017). A study on electrolyte imbalance in asphyxiated neonates. KYAMC Journal , 7(2), 775-779.
