Hypomagnesaemia in paediatric population in an intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To determine incidence and risk factors for hypomagnesaemia in children admitted in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, (PICU).


METHODS
Prospective study was carried out on 80 children admitted in PICU. The patients were clinically assessed for nutritional status, neurological status on Glasgow coma scale, congestive cardiac failure, etc. and relevant biochemical parameters including serum and red cell magnesium levels were done. 25 patients of the same age group admitted in general ward who were not in critical state were included as a control group.


RESULTS
70% of PICU patients had hypomagnesaemia, which was more common in patients on aminoglycosides and diuretics.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of complications of magnesium depletion and benign nature of appropriate magnesium therapy critically ill children should have their magnesium level monitored.
Deshmukh
C T
CT
Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry, Seth G. S. Medical College and K. E. M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai-400 012, India.
Rane
S A
SA
Gurav
M N
MN
D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate
D008274:Magnesium