METABOLIC EMERGENCIES – PART I

Often, patients with metabolic conditions (diseases caused by electrolytic unbalances, endocrine dysfunctions, inborn errors of metabolism) have symptoms similar to other emergencies, particularly as newborns and infants. The authors present the main emergencies: electrolytic unbalances – hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis and neonatal hypocalcemia; endocrine dysfunctions – suprarenal insufficiency and neonatal hypopituitarism; inborn metabolic diseases – acidosis, hyperglycemia/ hypoglycemia, hyperammoniemia, clinical symptoms associated to them, and recommended treatment.