title: [Hypernatremia].
abstract: Hypernatremia is defined as an elevated serum sodium concentration. Usually hypernatremia is caused by a relative water deficit occurring with decreased thirst sensation and/or reduced water intake. In rare cases hypernatremia may be caused by excessive sodium intake. Severe hypernatremia can be dangerous and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Dangerous hypernatremia can occur in the newborn. Drugs that influence thirst sensation are the main cause of hypernatremia in adults and elderly patients. Hospitalization itself might be a risk factor for developing hypernatremia. Therapy consists in eliminating the causes of hypernatremia and in the specific management of body volume and electrolytes.
authors.affiliation: Service de Néphrologie et d'Hypertension, Département de Médecine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne. bruno.vogt@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berwert
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burnier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012307:Risk Factors; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D012964:Sodium