Normal Reference Ranges
Adult
96 - 106 mEq/L
Pediatric
98 - 106 mEq/L
Clinical Significance
Major extracellular anion. Maintains electrical neutrality alongside sodium. Essential for calculating the anion gap.
Causes of High
- Dehydration
- Renal tubular acidosis (RTA)
- Excessive normal saline administration
- Metabolic acidosis (non-anion gap)
Causes of Low
- Vomiting
- NG tube suctioning
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Heart failure
- SIADH