Severe hypernatremic dehydration and death in a breast-fed infant.
Breast milk is acknowledged as the best source of nutrition for neonates. We present the case of a full-term newborn who was fed solely breast milk and developed severe dehydration and hypernatremia. The patient developed cerebral edema, transverse sinus thrombosis, and died. The literature on the uncommon entity of breast-feeding hypernatremia and dehydration is reviewed, and management strategies are presented.
van Amerongen
R H
RH
Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn 11215, USA. rov9001@nyp.org
Moretta
A C
AC
Gaeta
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000032:analysis; D012769:Shock / Q000209:etiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D012964:Sodium