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Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances in COVID-19 and Their Complications
Mohammad Pourfridoni1, Seyede Mahsa Abbasnia1, Fateme Shafaei1
1Student Research Committee, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
Insights
COVID-19 can cause kidney and gastrointestinal issues, leading to dangerous fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Monitoring these levels is crucial for patient outcomes and disease progression, especially in severe cases and children.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, causes acute respiratory illness globally.
- The virus binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, present in kidneys and the GI tract.
- This binding can lead to kidney and GI damage, manifesting as acute kidney injury (AKI) and digestive issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of fluid and electrolyte disturbances in COVID-19 patients.
- To emphasize the role of these disturbances as indicators of disease progression.
- To underscore the increased risk in hospitalized, intensive care, and pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical manifestations and complications associated with COVID-19.
- Analysis of the impact of ACE2 receptor involvement in renal and gastrointestinal systems.
- Identification of common fluid and electrolyte imbalances observed in affected patients.
Main Results:
- Common fluid and electrolyte disturbances include hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypochloremia, hypervolemia, and hypovolemia.
- These imbalances are more prevalent in hospitalized and intensive care patients.
- Children face a higher risk of complications from fluid and electrolyte disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Fluid and electrolyte disturbances are significant complications of COVID-19, impacting patient prognosis.
- Close monitoring of fluid and electrolyte status is essential for effective clinical management.
- Changes in these levels can serve as valuable biomarkers for disease progression.
Abstract:
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the cause of an acute respiratory illness which has spread around the world. The virus infects the host by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Due to the presence of ACE2 receptors in the kidneys and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys and GI tract damage arising from the virus can be seen in patients and can cause acute conditions such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and digestive problems for the patient. One of the complications of kidneys and GI involvement in COVID-19 is fluid and electrolyte disturbances. The most common ones of these disorders are hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypochloremia, hypervolemia, and hypovolemia, which if left untreated, cause many problems for patients and even increase mortality. Fluid and electrolyte disturbances are more common in hospitalized and intensive care patients. Children are also at greater risk for fluid and electrolyte disturbances complications. Therefore, clinicians should pay special attention to the fluid and electrolyte status of patients. Changes in fluid and electrolyte levels can be a good indicator of disease progression.
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