title: Hypernatremic Dehydration in Breastfed Term Infants: Retrospective Evaluation of 159 Cases.
abstract: The aim of this study was to reveal the frequency, presenting complaints, risk factors, complications, and ways for prevention of hypernatremic dehydration (HD) among term breastfed infants.
  
  
  
  The files of 159 breastfed term infants hospitalized because of HD between the years 2009 and 2014 were examined retrospectively in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Sivas State Hospital, Turkey. The patients were classified according to serum sodium (Na) levels, group 1 (Na: 146-149 mEq/L, n = 68) and group 2 (Na ≥150 mEq/L, n = 91).
  
  
  
  The most common complaint was fever (67.9%), and the most common physical finding was oral mucosal dryness (76%). There were positive correlations between serum Na levels and weight loss, hospital stay, admission age, admission to neonatal unit after discharge, serum urea levels, and body temperature (p < 0.05). The normalization period of Na levels was significantly longer (21.7 ± 8.8 versus 29.3 ± 17.8 hours, p = 0.03), and Na reduction rate was faster in group 2 (0.41 ± 0.3 versus 0.50 ± 0.3 mEq/L/hour, p = 0.02). Bradycardia was seen more commonly in group 2 (1.5% versus 16.5%, p = 0.002).
  
  
  
  HD is a significant condition that should be treated appropriately to avoid serious complications.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine , Sivas, Turkey .
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ünver Korğalı
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine , Sivas, Turkey .
authors.forename: Meriç Kaymak
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Cihan
authors.affiliation: 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sivas State Hospital , Sivas, Turkey .
authors.forename: Tahir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oğuzalp
authors.affiliation: 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sivas State Hospital , Sivas, Turkey .
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Şahinbaş
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine , Sivas, Turkey .
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ekici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014421:Turkey; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D012964:Sodium
keywords: impact on infant/development; infant diseases