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Serum magnesium levels in asthmatic children during and between exacerbations
1Department of Pediatrics, Jordan Universityof Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid, Jordan 22110. kakish@just.edu.jo
Insights
This study found no significant difference in serum magnesium levels between children with asthma and healthy children. Magnesium levels in asthmatic children did not change during acute attacks or between exacerbations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Magnesium plays a role in smooth muscle function and inflammation, relevant to asthma pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum magnesium levels in pediatric asthma patients during acute attacks and inter-exacerbation periods.
- To compare magnesium levels in asthmatic children with a control group of non-asthmatic children.
Main Methods:
- Serum magnesium levels were measured in 174 asthmatic children during acute attacks, 94 asthmatic children during follow-up, and 232 healthy controls.
- Exclusion criteria included renal disease, cardiac disease, malabsorption, diuretic use, alcoholism, and pregnancy.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in serum magnesium levels were observed between asthmatic children (groups 1 and 2) and the control group (group 3).
- A slight, non-significant trend of lower magnesium levels was noted in male patients compared to female patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum magnesium levels are not significantly different in children with asthma, irrespective of acute attack or inter-exacerbation status, when compared to non-asthmatic controls.
- After accounting for sex as a confounding factor, magnesium deficiency is not evident in pediatric asthma patients.
Objective:
To determine, if possible, whether magnesium deficiency exists in children with asthma during acute attacks and between exacerbations.
Setting:
Emergency Department Clinic and Outpatient Pediatric Clinic of Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid.
Methods:
A total of 174 known asthmatic children who presented to the emergency department in acute attack (group 1) and 94 asthmatic children who presented to outpatient clinics for follow-up of asthma (group 2) had their serum magnesium levels assayed and compared with 232 patients without asthma (controls; group 3). Exclusion criteria were history of renal disease, cardiac disease, malabsorption, diuretic use, alcoholism, and pregnancy.
Results:
There were no differences between study groups, although male patients had a slightly lower level of magnesium than female patients.
Conclusion:
After removing the confounder of sex, serum magnesium levels in asthmatic children during acute attacks and between exacerbations are not significantly different from those of controls.