DRG Category: 640

Mean LOS: 5.1 days

Description MEDICAL: Nutritional and Miscellaneous Metabolic Disorders with Major CC

classification section:



Hypermagnesemia occurs when the serum magnesium concentration is greater than 2.7 mg/dL (2.3 mEq/L), but signs and symptoms do not occur until the magnesium reaches 4 mg/dL. The normal serum magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.7 mg/dL (1.4 to 2.3 mEq/L). Magnesium is found in the bones: 1% is located in the extracellular compartment, and the remainder is found within the cells.

Magnesium plays an important role in neuromuscular function. It also has a role in several enzyme systems, particularly the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, as well as maintenance of normal ionic balance (it triggers the sodium-potassium pump), osmotic pressure, myocardial functioning, and bone metabolism. Because the kidneys are able to excrete large amounts of magnesium (> 5,000 mg/day), either the patient has to ingest extraordinary amounts of magnesium or the glomerular filtration of the kidneys needs to be very depressed for the patient to develop hypermagnesemia. Complications include complete heart block, cardiac arrest, and respiratory paralysis.