Hypernatraemia in early infancy.
Hypernatraemia, defined as serum sodium > 150 mmol/l, is still seen frequently in tropical environments. We describe two infants, one with poor fluid intake and excessive wrapping and the other with a high solute intake, both of whom presented in a state of severe hypernatraemia. The pathophysiology of this condition is outlined, as are the major causes, such as sodium overload, inadequate water intake, increased water loss of non-renal origin, increased water loss of renal origin and essential hypernatraemia. The literature is reviewed and the current basis for management is appraised and discussed.
Amirlak
I
I
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. iradj.amirlak@uaeu.ac.ae
Dawson
K
K
D003681:Dehydration / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007224:Infant Care; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male