This document provides information on electrolyte disorders presented by Dr. S. Keerthi at J.S.P.S Govt Homoeopathic Medical College. It defines electrolyte disorders as imbalances in ions like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and chloride. For each electrolyte, the document outlines its normal range, functions, causes of deficiencies and excesses, associated signs and symptoms, and treatment considerations. The goal is to educate on electrolyte regulation and disorders seen in clinical practice.

1. PRESENTER:
Dr. S. Keerthi
Dept. Of Paediatrics,
J.S.P.S Govt Homoeopathic Medical College,
Ramanthapur, Hyderabad.
MODERATOR:
Dr. RAJANI CHANDER, M.D (Hom)
H.O.D, Prof & P.G. Guide,
Dept. Of Paediatrics,
J.S.P.S Govt Homoeopathic Medical College,
Ramanthapur, Hyderabad.
1

2. •Definition
• Dyselectrolytemia is an electrolyte disorder is an
imbalance of certain ionized salts .
• An electrolyte disorder occurs when the levels of
electrolytes in your body are either too high or too
low. This is discussed in ICD-10 in chapter 4 Endocrine,
nutrional& metabolic diseases under sub classification
METABOLIC DISEASES i.e.; E70-E90, specifically E79-
E90.
2

3. ELECTROLYTES – these are ionized molecules found
throughout the body.
• These substances are present in your blood, bodily fluids, and
urine. They’re also ingested with food, drinks, and
supplements
• CATIONS - +ve ( Na, K, Ca, Mg ) etc
• ANIONS - -ve (Cl, phosphate , bicarbonate ) etc
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4. Normal levels of electrolytes
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5. Ecf icf electrolytes and
exchange
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6. General functions of electrolytes
 Help to balance pH and acid base balance in body
Facilitate the transport of fluids
Regulating the functions of endocrine , neuromuscular and
excretory systems .
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7. •Causes of electrolyte disorders
• Electrolyte disorders are most often caused by a loss
of bodily fluids through prolonged vomiting,
diarrhoea, or sweating.
• They may also develop due to fluid loss related to
burns.
• Certain medications can cause electrolyte disorders as
well.
7

8.  Types of electrolyte disorder
• Sodium: hypernatremia and hyponatremia
• Potassium: hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia
• Calcium: hypercalcemia and hypocalcaemia
• Chloride: hyperchloremia and hypochloraemia
Magnesium: hypermagnesemia and hypomagnesemia
• Phosphate: hyperphosphatemia or hypophosphatemia
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9. Sodium
• Normal range 135 -145 mEq/l
• Sodium helps to balance fluid levels in body
• Daily sodium requirement is 2 to 3 mEq/kg body weight although
intakes are generally well in excess.
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10. 10

11. HYPONATRAEMIA:
Hyponatremia, defined as plasma sodium less than
135mEq/l
Commonly results from excessive loss of sodium
from excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, burns
and the administration of diuretics
Becomes symptomatic when the levels fall below
125mEq/ml or the decline is acute i.e, in < 24 hrs.
Broadly classified as
a)Hypovolemic hyponatremia
b)Normovolemic hyponatremia
c)Hypervolemic hyponatremia
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12.  HYPOVOLEMIC HYPONATRAEMIA
A) Renal loss: - Diuretics
- Osmotic diuresis
- Renal salt wasting
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Pseudo-hypo-aldosteronism
B) Extra renal loss: - Diarrhoea, Vomitings,
Sweat
- Fistulas, Drains
- Cerebral salt wasting
syndrome
- Effusions, Ascites
12

13.  NORMOVOLEMIC HYPONATREMIA
This is caused by conditions that predispose to
SIADH
i.e., A) Inflammation of CNS- Meningitis,
Encephalitis
B) Pulmonary- severe Asthma, Pneumonia
C) Drugs
D) Others- tumours, postoperative
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14.  HYPERVOLEMIC HYPONATREMIA:
Caused by - Congestive heart failure
- Cirrhosis of liver
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Acute or Chronic renal failure
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15.  CLINICAL SYMPTOMS:
 Milder symptoms include- headache,
nausea, vomitings, lethargy, confusion
 In advanced stages, there may be-
seizures, coma, decorticate posturing,
dilated pupils, anisocoria, papilledema,
cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischaemia,
central diabetes insipidus, cerebral
oedema
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17. 17

18. Hypernatremia
• Hypernatremia is defined as increase in serum
sodium
concentration to levels more than 150 mEq/l
• The major cause of hypernatremia Is loss of body
water, inadequate intake of water, a lack antidiuretic
hormone (ADH), or excessive intake of Sodium (e.g.
solutions with high sodium )
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19. • The most objective sign of hypernatremia is
lethargy or mental status changes, which
proceeds to coma
and convulsions. With acute and severe
hypernatremia,
the osmotic shift of water from neurons leads to
shrinkage
of the brain and tearing of the meningeal vessels
and
intracranial hemorrhage; slowly developing
hypematremia
19

20. POTASSIUM
• Main ICF component
• Normal range 3.5-5.0Meq/dl
• Sources-meat, bones, fruits and potatoes
• Main Hormones for regulation -Aldosterone and
insulin
• Functions:
1)excitability of nerve and muscle tissue
2)contractibility of cardiac, skeletal and smooth
muscles
•
20

21. Regulation
 Aldosterone :it causes increasing of sodium
absorption and potassium excretion maintaining
balance
2)it also leads to loss in saliva, sweat etc
 Alkalosis : in which hydrogen ions which are
exchanged in place of potassium into cells
 INSULIN :causes potassium uptake by Na+-
k+activity
21

22. HYPOKALEMIA
• when potassium levels falls below 3.5mE/dL.
• If it is less than 2.5mE/dl causes abdominal
distension and paralytic ileus
Causes/etiology:
 Reduced intake
 Malnutrition
 High renal loss - Diuretics, osmotic diuretics
Tubular defects -renal tubular acidosis
22

23.  Acid base disturbances - alkalosis
 Endocrinopathies-Cushing syndrome, primary
aldosteronism , thyrotoxicosis
 High extrarenal loss: GIT- Diarrhea, vomiting
,frequent enemas, Profuse sweating
 Decrease in muscle mass myopathies
23

24.  Symptoms:
 Weakness of skeletal muscles
 Hypotonia
 Hyporeflexia
 Abdominal distension
 Paralytic ileus
 Respiratory distress
 Prolonged loss -polyuria, polydipsia
 Cardiac-arrythmia
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25. o ECG CHANGES -depressed ST ,Flat/inversed T Wave
prolonged P-R interval
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26. HYPERKALAMIA
Causes
Acidosis
Renal insufficiency
Diseases including aldosterone and insulin functions
 Increased k+ intake
o Packed cell transfuion
o Cell injury
o Packed cell transfusion
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27. • Decreased excretion
o Renal failure
o Ut obstruction
o Addison disease
o Angiotensin receptor blockers
27

28. Symptoms:
 Nausea
 Vomiting’s
 Paresthesia
 Skeletal fatigue
 ECG CHANGES -T wave TALL, prolonged PR interval, flat Pa
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29. CALCIUM:
98% 0f calcium is in Skeleton
Functions:
 Blood coagulation
 Cellular communication
 Exocytosis
 Muscle contraction
 Neuromuscular transmission
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30. HYPO CALCEMIA:
LESS THAN 8mg/dl or ionized ca+2 4mg/dl
Causes:
 Aplasia of thyroid gland
 Pseudo hypo parathyroidism
 Mutations in calcium sensing receptors
 Vit D deficiency, resistance to Vit D actions
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31.  Hypo magnesemia
 Hyper phosphatemia
 Mal absorption
 Renal tubular acidosis
 Acute pancreatitis
 Drugs: corticosteroids or ptenytoin
31

32. Symptoms:
 CNS irritability
 Poor muscular contractility
 Poor feeding
 Vomiting’s
 Abdominal distension
 Muscle twitching ,cramps
 Tetany and signs of nerve irritability
 Carpopedal spasm and stridor
 Chavokestick sigh (twitching of orbiculo occcular )
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33. 33

34. RICKETS
• most
common
presentation
in children
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35. 35

36. HYPER CALCEMIA :
12mg/dl causes symptoms
Causes:
 Neonatal hypoparathyroidism
 familiar hypocaloric hyper calcemia
 excess ca+2supplementation
 Ewing sarcoma
 neuroblastoma
 Rhabdo sarcoma
 vit D Or A excess ,phosphate deficiency
 prolonged immobilization
36

37.  symptoms:
 coma
 lethargy
 confusion
 hyporeflexia
 muscle weakness
 constipation
 nephrolithiasis
 polyuria
 Ectopic -conjunctivitis,
 pancreatitis 37

38. MAGNESIUM
• It is 3rd moat abundant intracellular cation
• It is mostly bound to proteins
 Functions
• It helps in protein carbohydrate and fat metabolism
• Regulation of parathyroid hormone function
• Functioning of normal cell membrane
 Source
Green leafy vegetables, cereals, nuts and meat.
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39. ABSORBTION
• Parathyroid hormone and glucocorticoids
increases its absorption
• Vitamin D and PTH also enhances its absorption
• In kidneys it is absorbed mainly in thick
ascending loop of henle
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40. 40
• Increased intestinal motility and calcium also
decrease magnesium absorption.
• Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) may
enhance
absorption, although this effect is limited. Intestinal
absorption does
increase when intake is decreased

41. Hypermagnesemia
• When magnesium is greater than 2.5mg/dl
Causes
• Mg containing antacids
• In neonates whose mother was given magnesium
sulphate to prevent eclamsia
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42. Symptoms
• Vomiting
• feeding difficulty
• Lethargy
• Weakness and dizziness
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43. 43
HYPOMAGNESEMIA
• Hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcaemia,
a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is caused by
decreased intestinal absorption of magnesium and
renal magnesium wasting.
• Poor intake
• Insulin administration
• Pancreatitis
• Intrauterine growth retardation
• Infants of diabetic mothers

44. 44
• GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
• Diarrhea
Nasogastric suction or emesis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Small bowel resection or bypass
Pancreatitis
Protein-calorie malnutrition
Hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcaemia

45. • BICARBONATE (HCO3-):
• It is alkaline & a vital component of pH buffering
system of human body.
• Normal range: 24-30 meq/lt
• FUNCTIONS:
• The blood electrolytes Sodium, Potassium,
Chloride and bicarbonate helps to regulate nerve
& muscle function and maintain Acid-Base balance
and water balance in the body.
• Thus having electrolytes in right concentrations is
important in maintaining fluid balance.
• .
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46. SOURCE:
• It is released from the pancreas in response to
harmone secretin to neutralize the acidic chime
entering the duodenum from the stomach.
DEFICIENCY:
• A low level of bicarbonate in blood may cause a
condition called Metabolic acidosis
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47. PHOSPHATES
• A phosphate is a chemical derivative of phosphoric acid.
• The phosphate ion (PO3−4) is an inorganic chemical, the
conjugate base that can form many different salts.
• Phosphate, or phosphorous, is similar to calcium, and is
found in your teeth and bones. You need vitamin D in order
to absorb phosphate.
NORMAL RANGE
• The normal range is 2.5-4.5 mg/dL.
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48. SOURSE
Finding foods with high phosphorus levels isn’t hard.
Pork, cod, salmon, and tuna are all high in
phosphorus. Good dairy sources include:
• milk
• chocolate
• yogurt
• ricotta and American cheese
• Bran cereal, blueberry muffins, and nachos are also
high in phosphorus.
o 28% of frozen blueberries, 20% of celery, 27% of
green beans, 17% of peaches, 8% of broccoli, and
25% of strawberries 48

49. • Functions
Phosphorus works with calcium to help build bones. You
need the right amount of both calcium and phosphorus
for bone health. Phosphorus also plays an important
structural role in nucleic acids and cell membranes. And
it’s involved in the body’s energy production.
• Your body absorbs less phosphorus when calcium levels
are too high, and vice versa. You also need vitamin D to
absorb phosphorus properly.
49

50. • Poor absorption of phosphate
• If you had stomach surgery
• If you are lacking in Vitamin-D
• The absorption of phosphate is being blocked by
aluminum hydroxide found in laxatives
• low blood magnesium (needed to absorb
phosphorous), or high blood calcium (which binds to
the phosphorous, making it lower than normal
CAUSES
50

51. • diuretics
• Endocrine problems - such as a hyper parathyroid or
thyroid gland
• Alcoholism - drinking too much alcohol on a regular
basis
• Rickets
• uncontrolled diabetes (or elevated blood glucose)-
phosphate likes to follow or accompany glucose into the
cells, so you may have severely low blood phosphorous
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52. Symptoms of Hypophosphatemia:
• Signs of hypophosphatemia include a lower than normal
blood phosphate level. Other electrolyte values are likely to
be affected, There are no symptoms of
hypophosphatemia, unless the values are critically low.
• Then you may notice trouble breathing or respiratory
problems, confusion, irritability, or coma. These all may
occur with phosphorous levels of 0.1-0.2 mg/ dL.
• phosphorous levels are below 1.0 mg/dL, your tissues
may have more trouble connecting hemoglobin with
oxygen - which is critical for breathing. You may
become mild to moderately short of breath.
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53. HIGH PHOSPHATES
The kidneys excrete phosphate. Therefore, the most
common cause of hyperphosphatemia is the kidney's
inability to get rid of phosphate.
Hyperphosphatemia is also seen in people who have:
•Excessive dietary intake of phosphate (also from
laxatives or enemas)
•Your body may have a deficiency in calcium or
magnesium, or it may have too much Vitamin D,
resulting in hyperphosphatemia.
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54. • Severe infections can cause increased phosphate
levels, resulting in hyperphosphatemia.
• Cell destruction - from chemotherapy, when the tumor
cells die at a fast rate. This can cause tumor lysis
syndrome.
• You may have high phosphate levels from prolonged
exercise, which causes muscle damage. Certain athletes
and distance runners may get this, called
rhabdomyolysis.
• You may have problems with your thyroid, parathyroid
gland, or other hormones, causing increased levels of
phosphate in your blood and resulting in
hyperphosphatemia 54

55. • Normal Range - 95-105 m Eq/l
• essential for maintaining acid/base balance
transmitting nerve impulses , regulating in out of cells.
• 90% Excreted in urine and also excreted in stool and
sweet.
• Sources - Table Salt ,Sea weed, rye, Tomatoes.
• Hypochloraemia - Less than 95 meg/l caused by
excessive use of loop diuretics ,Nasogastric suction,
Vomiting, Metabolic alkalosis is usually present with
hypochloraemia
. H/O of diuretic therapy, vomiting , assessment of
values in the metabolic alkaloses.
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56. • Hypochloraemia - greater then 108 meg/L
result of dehydration , administration of NACL metabolic
acidosis is seen often seen in pts with severe diarrhoea
(or) ureteral diversion.
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57. Bibliography
• GHAI essential paediatrics
• Suraj Gupte short text book of paediatrics
• Nelson text book of paediatrics 20 edition
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