High levels of potassium in blood of six week old.

[Now we're 3]

Just wondering if anyone has any knowledge of what high levels of potassium in blood can mean or be caused by.

Girl friend's six week old had blood test taken at his six week check as paed wasn't happy with his weight gain and when test results came back it revealed high levels of potassium in his blood. She was told to take him to hospital and he has been admitted to Royal North Shore where they are doing more tests. Only had texts with her DH at present so all very unclear as to what is being tested but kidney's have been mentioned.

Does anyone know anything about this, what could cause it and how potentially serious it could be. Or if there if might just an infection that could cause it that could be "cured"?

TIA

[nickle730]

Hyperkalemia is really common and can be caused by lots of different things. I don't suppose you know what his potassium levels are? Mild hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic, but severe hyperkalemia is very dangerous and can result in cardiac arrhythmias. Hyperkalemia is often indicative of kidney disfunction as potassium is usually excreted by the kidneys - if the kidneys are not functioning normally then the potassium is not excreted and high levels are found in the blood. The kidney disfunction can be the primary cause of the hyperkalemia, or the kidney disfunction may be secondary to another problem such as diabetes or adrenal issues.

There are so many unknowns. Stay away from google! I hope your friends DS is well soon.

[Now we're 3]

Thanks Nickle730. Don't know what his levels were other than they were elevated. Obviously high enough to tell them to go to emergency straight away with him!

Had brief look on Google last night before I posted here and was frightened by what I read so though best to stear clear and come on here.

Will know more in next few days. Her DH gave update last night and looks like they he has a rare hormonal deficiency which is causing his kidneys to malfunction. However if it is this is can be treated with daily steroids for the rest of his life. Poor little mite. They're waiting for results to come back from Brisbane and will know more when they come back.

Thanks for the informative response x

[Now we're 3]

Hi Nickle730

Update from today is they believe the little guy has CAH or Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Test results come back Thursday and they will know for sure. Not apparent at this stage as to what type of CAH - really serious or just serious.

Being honest whole thing has kindof put me into a bit of a head spin as there are so many similaries between her story and mine and its frightened me as to how naive (sp ???) Her DS was just 20g heavier than my DS when born. Both were 38 weekers. Her DS was 20g heavier than mine leaving hospital 2.9Kg against my DS 2.88Kg. Both were sleepy babies and had difficulty feeding. Both had low weight gain. Ironically our even our allocated paeds from the hospital are the same. I had completely forgotten until this evening that the paed had my DS have blood tests too. He never clearly explained what we were testing - and I just went along - I can remember it being really really upsetting for me as he was so tiny and they were sticking a great big needle into him - and then he said results were clear. It was probably the same test - done for the same reason - low weight gain. He always told me that my DS was fine and not to worry but did get me to make a number of follow up appointments after the 6 week check including the one where we did a blood test.

Have you heard of CAH? and is it different from hyperkalemia?

[nickle730]

Hi NW3, the CAH causes the hyperkalemia. It's an inability of the adrenal glands to produce certain hormones (cortisol and aldosterone) and is treated by replacing those hormones (lifelong treatment). I think the different types of CAH are based on which hormones are not being produced. The fact that your friends baby is already showing symptoms indicates that he probably has a pretty severe form of CAH, but obviously that is for the doctors to determine. The good news is that you now have answers and treatment is available.

I hope your friends are coping with the news. Sorry for the quick reply, i have to get the kidlets to school!