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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Htwe Htwe Sein
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Background: This study aimed to determine the intracellular (red blood cell (RBC)) magnesium levels in children with chronic bronchial asthma and to determine the relationship between the magnesium level and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), type of asthma treatment, and level of asthma control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Paediatric Clinic, Sarawak General Hospital. A total of 100 children, aged 6–12 years with chronic bronchial asthma, were recruited according to the study criteria. Venous blood samples were obtained to measure the intracellular (RBC) magnesium level using the GBC Avanta Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: Mean age was 8.57 (SD 1.18) years, and 63% of the participants were male. Mean duration of asthma was 62.2 (SD 32.3) months. A normal intracellular magnesium level was found in 95% of the participants, with a mean of 2.27 (SD 0.33) mmol/L. Two-thirds of the participants had a normal peak flow expiratory rate (> 80% of predicted value). About 85% were using both reliever and controller. Almost half of the participants (49%) had chronic asthma that was well-controlled. No significant relationship was found between magnesium level and age (r = –0.089, P = 0.379), gender (t = 0.64, P = 0.52), duration of asthma (r = –0.03, P = 0.74), PEFR (t = 0.41, P = 0.68), current level of asthma control (t = 0.02, P = 0.97), and current treatment (t = 0.414, P = 0.680). Conclusions: There was no significant intracellular magnesium deficiency in children with chronic bronchial asthma. There was no significant relationship between therapeutic medications used for treatment of children with chronic asthma and intracellular magnesium levels.
Author(s): Sein HH, Lian CW, Loong KJ, Ng JSL, Rahardaja A, Sultan MA
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Year: 2014
Volume: 21
Issue: 5
Pages: 30-36
Print publication date: 01/10/2014
Acceptance date: 18/08/2014
ISSN (print): 1394-195X
ISSN (electronic): 2180-4303
Publisher: Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Medical Sciences
URL: http://journal.usm.my/journal/mjms-21-5-030.pdf
