Peripheral gangrene in hypernatraemic dehydration of infancy.
Gangrene of the extremities complicating diarrhoea and severe hypernatraemic dehydration occurred in 6 infants. This is a rare complication of gastroenteritis, and its association with hypernatraemia does not seem to have previously been emphasized. The increased blood viscosity resulting from serum hyperosmolarity may have been responsible for the gangrene, and studies in our patients suggested that disseminated intravascular coagulation was present. In addition to fluid and electrolyte replacement, the infants were treated with heparin with some recovery of the affected extremities.
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000209:etiology; D003681:Dehydration / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003911:Dextrans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000150:complications*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000150:complications*; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
D003911:Dextrans; D006493:Heparin; D012964:Sodium