title: Water intoxication-a dangerous condition in labor and delivery rooms.
abstract: Water intoxication, a form of acute hyponatremia, has been described in various clinical situations. Although hyponatremia is a common metabolic disorder in hospitalized patients, it is generally not well known as a hazard in the labor and delivery room. However, several factors predispose laboring women to develop hyponatremia. Moreover, because the fetus acquires water from the maternal circulation via the placenta, and there is a close correlation between maternal and cord blood serum sodium levels, the newborn infant of a hyponatremic mother is also at considerable risk of developing water intoxication. We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of this hazardous disorder. We emphasize the need for awareness of this condition, and call attention to the risk of fluid overload during labor.
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel. ella.ophir@naharia.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ophir
authors.forename: Ido
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Solt
authors.forename: Marwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Odeh
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bornstein
mesh_terms: D050034:Antidiuretic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D050034:Antidiuretic Agents; D010121:Oxytocin