Pediatric Acid-Base Disorders

Pediatric acid-base disorders involve imbalances in the body's pH level, which measures acidity or alkalinity. These imbalances can occur when a child’s body produces too much acid, loses too much base, or cannot maintain proper pH regulation due to illnesses like infections, respiratory issues, or kidney problems. Such disturbances affect how organs function and can cause symptoms like weakness, rapid breathing, or confusion. Proper diagnosis requires blood tests to identify whether the disorder is too acidic (acidosis) or too alkaline (alkalosis), so treatments can be targeted to restore normal pH balance and support the child's recovery.