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Chapter-07 Potassium Homeostasis and Disorders

BOOK TITLE: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Nephrology

Author
1. Shah Mehul A
ISBN
9788180613043
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11074_7
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2004
Pages
10
Author Affiliations
1. Rainbow Children’s Hospital and Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad, India, Little Stars Children’s Hospital and Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Apollo Health City and Little Stars Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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Abstract

The maintenance of K+ balance is essential for a variety of cellular functions and in neuromuscular transmission. Regulation of the distribution of K+ is very efficient, in order to prevent fatal rise in extracellular potassium concentration. Two important physiologic factors that facilitate the disposition of an acute K+ load are epinephrine and insulin. These hormones do not regulate the baseline plasma K+ concentration. Potassium enters the body by dietary intake or IV infusion, is primarily stored in the cells, and is then excreted in the urine, and to a lesser extent, in the stool and in the sweat. An abnormality in any one or more of these processes can lead to hypokalemia. The etiology of hypokalemia can usually be identified from a detailed history. The most common causes of hypokalemia are vomiting, diarrhea, use of diuretics, or laxatives.

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