[Reference values, metabolism and findings of abnormal values of magnesium in childhood]

In the introduction we summarize specifics of reference values and metabolism of magnesium in childhood. We studied the frequency of abnormal values of magnesium in both children and adults hospitalized in Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague. We analyzed 6761 tests of S-Mg and 356 dU-Mg results located in archives of Department of clinical biochemistry (1. 1. 1992-1. 11. 1995). The frequency of low level of S-Mg (< 0.65 mmol/l) was 14%. Hypermagnesemia was present in 1.6% of the total number of cases. We found low values of dU-Mg in 20% of the total number of cases, hypermagnesiuria was present in 8.4% cases. We also proved that hypomagnesemia is more frequent in both boys and men than in girls and women. Critical values of S-Mg below 0.5 mmol/l are less frequent (84 cases). Estimated frequency of clinical significant hypomagnesemia in hospitalized patients was about 1.25%.