Normal value of blood potassium concentration

The normal value of blood potassium concentration is generally 3.5-5.5 mmol/L of serum concentration. If the blood potassium concentration is lower than this normal value, it will lead to renal failure or shock, while excessive blood potassium concentration will lead to renal tubular poisoning or hypoxia. It is recommended that everyone should understand the impact of changes in blood potassium concentration on the body. By analyzing the changes in blood potassium concentration, we can understand what diseases blood potassium can cause.

What is the normal value of potassium in infants?

Potassium is an essential macroelement in the human body and is necessary for life activities. The main function of potassium in the human body is to maintain acid-base balance, participate in energy metabolism and maintain normal neuromuscular function. There is not much difference in blood potassium levels between children and adults. The normal serum potassium concentration is 3.5-5.5 mmol/L. Low or high blood potassium levels will have an impact on the human body. Children should consume 1,600 mg of potassium per day and adults 2,000 mg per day.

What is the cause of high potassium levels in newborns?

When the blood potassium of a newborn is >6.0mmol/L, it is neonatal hyperkalemia. Neonatal hyperkalemia is not uncommon, especially in premature infants and low-birth-weight infants. Asphyxia, inappropriate infusion, blood transfusion and other reasons can cause high blood potassium. Common causes of high potassium levels include:

1. Renal failure, renal tubular acidosis, adrenal cortex dysfunction, etc. → reduce potassium excretion.

2. Shock, moderate hemolysis and severe crush injury → cause abnormal potassium distribution.

3. Due to the input of potassium solution too quickly or too high concentration.

4. Hypoxia and other reasons lead to alkali poisoning → extracellular liquid hydrogen ions decrease → potassium ions run from inside the cell to outside the cell to maintain charge balance.

The normal value of blood potassium for babies is similar to that for adults. When the baby's blood potassium is higher than 6mmol/L, it can be considered hyperkalemia. High blood potassium is a very dangerous condition. Once high blood potassium is found, treatment must be sought immediately. It is usually treated with fluid replacement therapy, and timely treatment can reduce the possibility of residual sequelae.