Drexel University College of Medicine reports that potassium helps the nerves and muscles in the body communicate effectively, helps provide nutrition to the cells and move waste out of the cells. Potassium levels can be checked with a simple blood test or urinalysis. According to University of Michigan Health System, potassium levels are controlled by a hormone called aldosterone and the levels can also be affected by the sodium levels in the body and how the kidneys are functioning.
Children
According to the University of Michigan Health System, a child's potassium levels should range between 3.4 to 4.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or 3.4 to 4.7 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). If potassium levels in children become too high it can cause damage to their kidneys and this can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body that can be life threatening. If the potassium levels in a child become lower than 3.4 mmo/L or 3.4 mEq/L it can cause heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat and even cardiac arrest.
Infants
For infants the University of Michigan Health System recommends that the potassium levels should range between 4.1 to 5.3 mEq/L to 4.1 to 5.3 mmol/L. High or low potassium levels in an infant can be especially dangerous because of the child's inability to communicate vital symptoms of the condition. Milton S. Hershey Medical Center reports that sometimes dangerous levels of potassium are brought on by gastrointestinal illness. High levels of potassium can affect the kidney and cause the kidneys to shut down. If the infant is not having a wet diaper, at least every one to two hours, then you should contact your physician immediately. Low potassium levels can cause cardiac problems and even result in cardiac arrest and death.
Adults
According to Drexel University College of Medicine, a normal range for potassium in the blood is 3.7 to 5.2 milliequivalent per liter (mEq/L). According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, low levels of potassium can cause symptoms such as muscle cramping, weakness, frequent urination and confusion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, signs of high amounts of potassium can be an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, tingling or numbness, paralysis, upset stomach and vomiting and even difficulty breathing.
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