Howard · Practical neurology 2025 · narrative review · n=?

Neurological aspects of electrolyte disorders.

Cited 2 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

Narrative review without systematic search methodology or empirical data synthesis

PubMed 40518262 · doi:10.1136/pn-2023-003801 · record verified 2026-08-26

What was done

This is a narrative clinical review outlining the pathophysiology, central neurological disturbances, and neuromuscular manifestations associated with disorders of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium metabolism.

What was found

The abstract contains no quantitative data or statistical comparisons. It qualitatively describes clinical associations: acute hyponatraemia can cause cerebral oedema, seizures, or encephalopathy; potassium disorders are associated with cardiac and neuromuscular abnormalities; calcium imbalances range from mild non-specific symptoms to encephalopathy; and phosphate and magnesium disturbances cause neuromuscular weakness, respiratory impairment, and failure to wean from ventilatory support in critically ill patients.

Why it matters

It provides an overview of how distinct electrolyte derangements present with central and neuromuscular dysfunction, highlighting the need to distinguish acute from chronic presentations to guide safe management.

Limits

The abstract describes a narrative overview without primary empirical data, quantitative findings, sample sizes, or systematic review methodology.

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