More on CO2 levels

[Guest guest]

OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports when

she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went on-

line for more info.

First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood chemistry

panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said about

the lab test for C02....

How is it used?

Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an

electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium,

potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total CO2)

are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen,

included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or

done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is also

done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to

screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during

treatment.

OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW on

the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic acidosis

problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) or

also a kidney problem.

In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and a

nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting (horrible

waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s were

low; another time they would be normal; and then low again.

Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's.

Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children,

especially when fighting infections ( had a urine infection

at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think

that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are connected.

But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low C02

levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as ketones --

give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage levels

go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all

those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH!