REVIEW ARTICLE
Intensive Care
doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2025-27-2-406-415
MANAGEMENT OF MAGNESIUM IMBALANCE IN THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

YU.V. BYKOV1, A. N. OBEDIN1,2, V.V. FISCHER1,3, E.V. VOLKOV1,4, O.V. ZINCHENKO1, A.A. MURAVYOVA1, I.V. YATSUK1,5

1Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of DPO, Stavropol State Medical University, Stavropol, Russian Federation
2Stavropol Regional Clinical Perinatal Center No. 1, Stavropol, Russian Federation
3Shpakovskaya District Hospital, Mikhaylovsk, Russian Federation
4City Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care, Stavropol, Russian Federation
5Stavropol City Clinical Emergency Hospital, Stavropol, Russian Federation

A review of the literature regarding magnesium (Mg²⁺) imbalance in children and adolescents in intensive care unit settings was conducted. The search for relevant information was performed using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Medscape databases, with keywords such as "magnesium", "hypomagnesemia", "hypermagnesemia", "children", "adolescents", and "intensive care". The review included sources published

over the past 10 years (2014-2024). The inclusion criteria for the review required works to describe the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and correction methods for Mg²⁺ imbalance in pediatric intensive care practice. Articles focusing on the clinical picture and management of hypo- and hypermagnesemia in adult patients were excluded.

Despite the high prevalence of Mg²⁺ imbalance among children and adolescents, this electrolyte disorder often goes unnoticed, particularly in intensive care patients. Hypomagnesemia is more common and can arise from acquired or genetic causes. Its clinical symptoms are highly nonspecific and can affect various organs and systems; these symptoms frequently occur in conjunction with hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. To correct acute and severe hypomagnesemia in children, intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate is recommended at a dose of 25-50 mg/kg. Hypermagnesemia is relatively rare, typically occurring in conjunction with renal failure and presenting with nonspecific symptoms. Treatment for high levels of Mg²⁺ involves the intravenous administration of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride, along with intravenous therapy. Timely diagnosis and treatment of Mg²⁺ imbalance in pediatric intensive care are crucial for providing adequate care to severely ill children.

Keywords: Magnesium, hypomagnesemia, hypermagnesemia, children and adolescents, intensive care.

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Authors' information:

Bykov Yuriy Vitalyevich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4705-3823
E-mail: yubykov@gmail.com

Obedin Aleksandr Nikolaevich,
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the of Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University; Deputy Chief Physician for Pediatric Care, Stavropol Regional Clinical Perinatal Center No. 1
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9990-7272
Е-mail: volander@mail.ru

Fischer Vasiliy Vladimirovich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University; Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Shpakovskaya District Hospital
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9841-6930
Е-mail: vvfisher26@gmail.com

Volkov Evgeniy Vladimirovich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University; Head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care No. 1, Stavropol Regional Clinical Hospital
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9841-6930
Е-mail: volkov26@mail.ru

Zinchenko Oleg Vasilievich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4729-5101
Е-mail: regionar2008@yandex.ru

Muravyova Alla Anatolyevna,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4460-870X
Е-mail: muravyeva81@mail.ru

Yatsuk Ivan Viktorovich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University; Head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care No. 1, Stavropol City Clinical Emergency Hospital
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5482-8581
Е-mail: yatsukiv@gmail.com

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The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:

Bykov Yuriy Vitalyevich
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation with a Course of Additional Professional Education, Stavropol State Medical University;

355031, Russian Federation, Stavropol, Mira str., 310

Теl.: +7 (962) 4430492

E-mail: yubykov@gmail.com


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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