Electrolyte Imbalance in Newborns

Electrolyte Imbalance in Newborns

Electrolytes are minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium) dissolved in the fluids of our body. They play a critical role in maintaining water balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and muscle function. A newborn's body, with its rapid metabolism and limited reserves, is extremely sensitive to any fluctuations in electrolyte balance.

Why is imbalance easy to develop in newborns?

Most often, electrolyte imbalance is a direct result of conditions that cause significant loss or improper intake of fluid:

• Dehydration: With vomiting and diarrhea the baby loses not only water but also a large amount of sodium and potassium.
• Overhydration: Consuming an overly diluted formula or plain water “dilutes” the blood and leads to a dangerous drop in sodium level (hyponatremia).
• Congenital kidney or endocrine system diseases.

Symptoms and Consequences

Symptoms of imbalance are nonspecific and often mask as symptoms of the underlying disease. They include:

• Lethargy, irritability.
• Muscle weakness.
• Poor appetite.
• In severe cases — cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.

Correction of electrolyte disturbances is performed exclusively in a hospital setting. Read about general mechanisms in the article "Electrolyte Imbalance".