Discharge Instructions for Hypomagnesemia (Child)

Home care

• Give your child foods that contain magnesium. These include:

  • Spinach.

  • Nuts.

  • Soy products.

  • Millet, wheat bran, and wheat germ.

  • Whole grain cereals (bran flakes, shredded wheat, and oatmeal).

  • Black beans or kidney beans.

  • Brown rice.

  • Avocados.

  • Bananas.

• Give your child a magnesium supplement, or give a multivitamin with magnesium in it. Do this as directed by your child’s doctor.

• Have your child’s magnesium levels checked often, as directed by your child's doctor. This is very important if your child is taking a diuretic. This is a medicine that keeps the body from retaining water.

• Tell the doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines your child takes. Some of them can decrease magnesium levels.

• Give your child all medicines exactly as directed.

• Learn to take your child’s pulse. Tell the doctor if your child’s pulse rate is higher than 120 beats per minute.

Follow up

• Follow up with your doctor as advised.

• Keep all follow-up appointments. Your child’s doctor needs to watch your child’s condition closely. This is even more important if another health problem is causing the hypomagnesemia.

When to contact your child’s doctor

Contact the doctor right away if your child has:

• Muscle twitching, spasms, or cramps.

• Dizziness.

• Fatigue.

• Weakness.

Call 911

Call 911 if your child has:

• Confusion.

• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

• An irregular or fast heartbeat or racing pulse (higher than 120 beats per minute).

• Chest pain.

• Shortness of breath.