Key result
Higher sodium and lower magnesium link to target organ damage in pediatric hypertension.
Why the study?
The association between serum sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels and target organ damage in pediatric hypertension was not well established.
Observational (n=88)
No
p-value: p=0.003
In pediatric patients with essential hypertension, higher serum sodium levels and lower serum magnesium levels are significantly associated with the presence of target organ damage.
Should not yet change electrolyte monitoring in pediatric hypertension; leaves open causal links to target organ damage.
Aim Hypertension is a common health problem that can cause organ damage in multiple systems, such as the cardiovascular system, renal tissue, and eyes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between serum sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels and target organ damage in pediatric patients with hypertension. Methods Patients were diagnosed with essential hypertension by following a standard algorithm, excluding secondary causes. Damage to the heart, kidneys, and eyes was determined as target organ damage. The relationship between serum electrolytes and target organ damage was examined. Results A total of 88 patients were evaluated. There were 46 females (52.2%) and 42 males (47.7%); the mean age was 12.5 ± 1.68 (range 8-16 years). 14 patients (15.9%) had a family history of hypertension, and 28 patients (31.8%) were obese. 23 patients (26.1%) were dippers, 65 patients (73.8%) were non-dippers. 24 patients (27.2%) had single, 15 patients (17%) had double, and 3 patients (3.4%) had triple target organ damage. Serum uric acid, creatinine, and sodium levels were significantly higher in the groups with target organ damage compared to those without, while magnesium levels were lower. There was no significant difference in potassium levels between the two groups. Conclusion Our study showed that higher serum sodium levels and lower magnesium levels were associated with target organ damage in pediatric patients with hypertension. Close monitoring of serum sodium, magnesium, creatinine, and uric acid levels may be useful during follow-up. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether dietary modification can reduce the development or progression of target organ damage.
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Çelakıl et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Pediatric essential hypertension (n=88). Serum electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, magnesium) vs. Normal or reference serum electrolyte levels (patients without target organ damage) was evaluated on Presence of target organ damage (retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, or microalbuminuria) (p=0.003). Higher serum sodium levels and lower serum magnesium levels were significantly associated with the presence of target organ damage in pediatric patients with essential hypertension.
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