Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)
Electrolytes are minerals dissolved in the blood that carry an electrical charge. Sodium, potassium and chloride control the balance of water in the body, the function of nerves and muscles, and the rhythm of the heart. Even small changes can make a person very ill, especially a young child.
At YGOPH, an electrolyte panel (ionogram) is requested for children with severe diarrhoea, vomiting or dehydration, for women with severe vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum), for patients receiving intravenous fluids or in intensive care, and for people with kidney disease or taking diuretics. The results help doctors choose the right fluids and correct imbalances safely.
What is an electrolyte panel?
The panel, often called an ionogram, measures sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) in a blood sample. Sodium mostly reflects the balance between water and salt, potassium is essential for the heart and muscles, and chloride moves with sodium and helps maintain the body's acid–base balance. Doctors often request these tests together with kidney function tests, as the kidneys regulate electrolytes.
- Severe diarrhoea, vomiting or dehydration in children
- Severe vomiting in pregnancy
- Patients on intravenous fluids or in intensive care
- Kidney disease or treatment with diuretics
- Confusion, seizures, muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat
Good to know
Why balance matters in children
Babies and young children lose water and salts quickly during diarrhoea or fever. Low or high sodium can cause drowsiness or seizures, and abnormal potassium can affect the heart. Measuring electrolytes guides the choice and speed of intravenous fluids, alongside oral rehydration solution and zinc for diarrhoea.
Getting a reliable result
Potassium can be falsely high if red cells break during sampling or if the sample waits too long before analysis. Our staff take care to collect and process samples quickly, and a surprising result may be checked on a new sample.