Your Care Instructions

Electrolytes are minerals in the blood, such as sodium and potassium. When they are not at the right levels, your child can feel very ill. Your child may feel weak or numb, have muscle spasms, or twitch. His or her heart may beat fast. Symptoms are different with each mineral. Too much is as bad as too little.

Minerals help keep the body working as it should. Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever can cause your child to lose minerals. A problem with the kidneys can tip a mineral out of balance. So can taking certain medicines.

Your doctor may do more tests. Your child's medicine and diet may be changed. If your child is low in one or more minerals, they may be given through a tube into a vein (I.V.). Your doctor may have your child take or drink special fluids or pills. If your child's kidneys are failing, his or her blood may be filtered. This is called dialysis. It can put the minerals back in balance.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your child's doctor or nurse advice line if you think your child is having a problem with his or her medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
• Do not give any medicine without talking to your child's doctor first. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines.
• If your child has kidney, heart, or liver disease and has to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids your child drinks.
• Your doctor or dietitian may give you a diet plan to help balance your child's minerals. Follow the diet carefully.