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Diagnosing Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders in Children

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Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders in Children

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Types of Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders

Diagnosis

Medical Management

Recovery & Support

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Doctors at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone are experienced in identifying and treating infants and children who develop
!uid and electrolyte disorders, a group of conditions that temporarily affect !uid and mineral levels in the body. Electrolytes are
electrically charged minerals—such as sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium—that are critical for nerve and muscle
cell function.

Causes and Risk Factors

Electrolytes are found in !uids in the body. Dehydration can upset the delicate balance of electrolytes in an infant or child. Children are
especially vulnerable to dehydration due to their small size and fast metabolism, which causes them to replace water and electrolytes at a
faster rate than adults.

An illness that causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and a high fever increases the risk of a !uid and electrolyte disturbance, as does taking
medication that causes excessive urination. Profuse sweating from physical exertion can also increase the risk of dehydration.

Fluid and electrolyte disturbances are common in children with a serious underlying medical condition. For instance, children with
chronic kidney disease, a condition that affects the ability of these organs to maintain proper !uid and electrolyte levels, are at risk.

Conditions that affect the production of thyroid hormones and parathyroid hormones, which help regulate calcium and other electrolytes,
can also make a child susceptible to a !uid and electrolyte imbalance. Children with heart disease may retain sodium and water, and
develop abnormal electrolyte levels.

#ose who have cancer and receive a bone marrow transplant—which increases the risk of infections and fever—or take chemotherapy
medications that cause kidney problems are also at higher risk of developing a !uid and electrolyte imbalance.

Symptoms
Signs of a !uid or electrolyte disorder vary widely. Mild electrolyte disorders often cause no symptoms. Symptoms of a more severe
imbalance depend on the type of disorder.
Dehydration may make your child’s urine appear darker than usual. Other electrolyte disorders cause confusion, weakness, cramping, and
muscle spasms. Some can cause difficulty breathing, dizziness, and a rapid heart rate. Parents who notice any of these symptoms,
especially if a child has an underlying medical condition or a fever, should have their child evaluated by a doctor immediately.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment are important. Severe dehydration and the accompanying electrolyte disturbances can reduce blood and
mineral !ow to vital organs, including the brain, heart, and liver. In rare instances, this can make brain tissue swell or shrink, causing
seizures, or life-threatening disturbances in heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia.

Our doctors use the results of a physical exam and laboratory tests to diagnose !uid and electrolyte disorders in children.

Physical Exam
During a physical exam, your child’s doctor assesses the severity of a !uid and electrolyte disturbance and looks for clues to identify the
cause. #e doctor asks if your child has been ill recently and whether he or she has had any unusual symptoms, such as muscle cramps,
dizziness, rapid heart rate, or confusion.

#e doctor measures your child’s blood pressure to see if it is low, which may suggest that the child is dehydrated. In addition, he or she
may examine your child’s skin to check its elasticity. #e doctor may also test your child’s re!exes, which can be affected by dehydration.

Laboratory Tests
Blood and urine tests are used to con%rm an electrolyte imbalance and determine its severity. Depending on how ill your child is, these
tests can be performed using blood and urine samples taken in the doctor’s office or the hospital. Laboratory results are usually available
quickly.

Based on the results of these tests and any underlying medical conditions your child may have, our doctors develop an appropriate
treatment plan to correct a !uid and electrolyte imbalance and prevent complications.
Resources for Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders in Children Discover Hassenfeld
Children’s Hospital
We partner with children and families to provide the most advanced care.

Learn More #
Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders in Children Education & Research

Find a Doctor & Schedule Nephrology Research

Types of Fluid & Electrolyte Disorders Nephrology Training

Diagnosis Pediatrics Research

Medical Management Pediatrics Training

Recovery & Support

We can help you !nd a Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital doctor. Call 646-929-7970 or
browse our specialists.