The relationship between serum potassium deficiency and treatment by nebulized salbutamol during asthma attack in children

This study was done to determine whether use of nebulized salbutamol therapy for treatment of an acute attack of asthma in children is associated with hypokalaemia and if so what is its frequency, severity and what is accompanying clinical symptoms103 child, aged 3 years to 14 years with asthma attack, treated with three doses of nebulized salbutamol 0.15mg/kg, every 20 min participated in the study. Blood for serum potassium was obtained at the beginning and after three doses of nebulized salbutamol therapy.The mean serum potassium level decreased from 3.94 mEq/L to 3.28 mEq/L (P < 0.05). A decrease in serum potassium concentration was noted in 93 child (90.3%).). Mild hypokalemia formed the highest proportion in 43child (41.7%) followed by moderate hypokalemia in 28 child( 27.2%). Severe hypokalemia did not happen.This decrease was accompanied with clinical symptoms (palpitations 23,muscle weakness 21,nausea 15, headache 12,myalgia 11,vomiting 9).These symptoms were moreclosely to moderate hypokalemia.