Abstract
Electrolyte and acid-base disturbances are commonly seen in patients undergoing stem cell transplant (SCT). These may be due to the effect of conditioning regimens and hydration used during SCT and SCT-related complications as during acute gut graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the use of immunosuppressive agents. Patients undergoing SCT can develop various types of electrolyte abnormailites including hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia. In cancer patients and SCT recipients chemotherapy can lead to hypokalemia either indirectly via side effects of decreased oral intake, vomitings, and diarrhea or directly via causing renal tubular defects. Hypomagnesemia can similarly be due to decreased intake or from increased loss through kidneys. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is the most common cause of hyponatremia in cancer patients. Hypophosphatemia is also a consequence of chemotherapy. This may be due to malnutrition causing poor intake, or it may be due to renal phosphate wasting from drug induced proximal tubular damage. A better understanding of electrolyte management is very crucial for a transplant physician.