Paper
Investigation of magnesium absorption in children using28Mg
Published Jun 1, 1983 · O. Hensey, D. Davidson, P. Cummins
Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease
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Abstract
Plasma magnesium levels show little fluctuation in normal adults and children. Hypomagnesaemia does, however, occur in both. In adults symptoms are usually non-specific. Children may have more definite symptoms, in particular convulsions in the neonatal period. Magnesium metabolism is intimately related to calcium turnover, thus it is not unexpected that concomitant hypocalcaemia is commonly found in these children. The aetiology of hypomagnesaemia in childhood is varied. Magnesium deficiency may occur in low birth weight infants and infants of diabetic mothers during the neonatal period. Parathyroid disturbances in mothers during pregnancy or children may also interfere with magnesium homeostasis. A less common but important cause of hypomagnesaemia in infancy is the specific failure of magnesium absorption from the small intestine, a condition first described by Friedman et al. (1967). Disorders of excessive magnesium loss have also been recognized, in particular failure of renal reabsorption (Evans et al., 1981). The investigation of chronic magnesium deficiency in childhood should include an assessment of both absorption and secretion. The availability of the isotope 2SMg has simplified these measurements. Unforttmately simple excreta data alone are often inaccurate due to collection difficulties. Plasma sampling requires the administration of a large dose of isotope. This and the frequent sampling required makes the method unacceptable in young subjects. Combination of the measurement of 28Mg retention in a whole body counter and excretion of the isotope can be used to assess magnesium turnover accurately. This technique has been studied in children with suspected magnesium malabsorption.
Using the isotope 2SMg to assess magnesium absorption and secretion in children can accurately assess magnesium turnover, aiding in the diagnosis of chronic magnesium deficiency.
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