Clinical Significance of Measuring Serum Osmolality

Dr. R. Dhananjayan

Abstract: Serum osmolality is the serum concentration of ions and particles dissolved in body fluid to reflect the body fluid balance and renal function. It is strongly affected by the concentration of sodium, potassium, glucose and urea. Measuring serum osmolality is useful in managing hydro - electrolytic disorders associated with sodium. It also helps in the diagnosis of hyperglycemias, adrenal insufficiency, therapies with hypertonic solutions in neurological lesions and in physical exercise. The management of patients with abnormal serum osmolality needs an interprofessional approach because of the diverse etiologies and multiple challenges in successfully treating the patients without causing further complications.

Keywords: Osmolality, Osmometry, Hypoosmolar Serum, Hyperosmolar Serum, Acute Kidney Injury, Dehydration