title: Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in infants and children: pathophysiology and treatment.
abstract: Potassium is the second most abundant cation in the body. About 98% of potassium is intracellular and that is particularly in the skeletal muscle. Electrical disturbances associated with disorders of potassium homeostasis are a function of both the extracellular and intracellular potassium concentrations. Clinical disorders of potassium homeostasis occur with some regularity, especially in hospitalized patients receiving many medications. This article will review the pathophysiology of potassium homeostasis, symptoms, causes, and treatment of hypo- and hyperkalemia.
authors.forename: Kayleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farrington
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000187:drug effects; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Hypokalemia; hyperkalemia; treatment