Determination of plasma sodium and potassium levels using flame photometry and ion selective electrode

Abstract

The study aimed to measure plasma sodium and potassium concentrations using flame photometry and ion selective electrode methods. Fifty (50) apparently healthy students in Sudan University of different age were selected to assess the comparison between sodium and potassium plasma concentration measuring by flame photometer )JENWEY models PFP7 and PFP7/C) and ion selective electrode (EASYLITE), all samples were selected from Sudan University of Science and Technology after agreement of eachindividual at February 2014, three ml from each individuals was taken in a heparin container. The results showed that significantly difference in sodium plasma concentration average mean (134.9±8.90)mmol/L and (138.4±2.03) mmol/L measured by flame photometer and ion selective electrode respectively (p. value 0.008), no significant difference in concentration of potassium when measured by two methods (p. value 0.17). The results showed insignificant weak positivecorrelation between flame photometer and ion selective electrode in plasma sodium concentration (p. value .907) (r value .017), but significant weak positive correlation between both methods was observed in plasma potassium concentration (p. value .142) (r value .211).