Pseudo-ElectrolyteImbalances among Pediatric Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia: Single Center Experience

Abstract

Essential thrombocythemia is very rare during childhood. The pseudo-electrolyte imbalances including hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia have been reported among adult patients with this condition. Due to the rarity of this condition in the pediatric age group, overtreatment and even hospitalization of these patients for correction of electrolyte imbalances is usually inevitable.

Herein, we reviewed the pseudo-electrolyte imbalances in our pediatric and adolescent patients with essential thrombocythemia between 2010 and 2014. Hyperkalemia at levels as high as 6.81 mEq/L were shown to be correlated with elevated thrombocyte counts without electrocardiographic changes.