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Extremely rare cause of hyperkalemia: ileostomy‒induced hyperkalemia in extremely low birth weight infants
Mehmet Mutlu1, Yakup Aslan1, Şebnem Kader1
1Division of Neonatology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Türkiye.
Insights
Ileostomy-induced hyperkalemia, a serious condition, was observed in two extremely low birth weight infants. Prompt resolution occurred after ileostomy closure, highlighting gastrointestinal integrity
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pediatrics
Background:
- Hyperkalemia is a critical electrolyte imbalance with potentially lethal cardiac consequences.
- While documented in adults, ileostomy-associated hyperkalemia is rare in neonates.
Observation:
- Two extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants (850g, 840g) presented with persistent hyperkalemia during ileostomy.
- Hyperkalemia resolved rapidly following ileostomy closure in both cases.
Findings:
- Disruption of intestinal integrity in ELBW infants can precipitate hyperkalemia.
- The gastrointestinal tract's integrity is crucial for managing electrolyte disorders like hyperkalemia in neonates with ileostomies.
Implications:
- This study underscores the importance of monitoring electrolytes in ELBW infants with ileostomies.
- Maintaining gastrointestinal integrity is vital for preventing and treating hyperkalemia in this vulnerable population.
Background:
Hyperkalemia is one of the most serious electrolyte disturbances, and it can cause lethal cardiac arrhythmia. Although hyperkalemia associated with ileostomies has been reported in adults, to the best of our knowledge, it has not previously been reported in neonates.
Case:
We report ileostomy‒induced hyperkalemia that persisted during the ileostomy and resolved promptly after the closure of the ileostomy in two extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, with birth weights of 850 g and 840 g and gestational ages of 27 weeks and 27 weeks 6 days.
Conclusions:
These cases highlight that disruption of intestinal integrity in ELBW infants may cause hyperkalemia. Ensuring the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in the treatment of electrolyte disorders such as hyperkalemia in ELBW infants with an ileostomy.
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