Circulating sodium in acute meningitis.
BACKGROUND
In acute meningitis hyponatremia is common and traditionally attributed exclusively to inappropriate water retention. However, the exact mechanisms underlying hyponatremia are unknown.


METHODS
The files of 300 pediatric patients with acute bacterial (n = 190) or aseptic (n = 110) meningitides were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
The plasma sodium level ranged from 122 to 148 mmol/l and was low (<133 mmol/l) in 97 patients. Fluid volume contraction was significantly more pronounced in hyponatremia (median 6.0. 10(-2)) than in normonatremia (median 2.0. 10(-2)). The fractional sodium excretion was less than 1.00. 10(-2) in the 26 hyponatremic children with this measurement.


CONCLUSIONS
In acute meningitis hyponatremia is not exclusively brought about by inappropriate water retention.
von Vigier
R O
RO
Department of Pediatrics, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Colombo
S M
SM
Stoffel
P B
PB
Meregalli
P
P
Truttmann
A C
AC
Bianchetti
M G
MG
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*
D012964:Sodium