Is dehydration associated with hypernatremia?

In hypernatremia, the level of sodium in blood is too high. Hypernatremia involves dehydration, which can have many causes, including not drinking enough fluids, diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, and diuretics.

What causes high sodium levels in newborn babies?

Excess sodium intake in newborns could be a result of an infusion of sodium bicarbonate or the improper preparation of formula or oral rehydration solution. Many case reports have attributed BFHD to high sodium content in breast milk; it also can be attributed to low breast milk production in a mother.

How does hypernatremia cause cellular dehydration?

When hypernatremia (of any etiology) occurs, cells become dehydrated. Either the osmotic load of the increased sodium acts to extract water from the cells or a portion of the burden of the body’s free water deficit is borne by the cell.

What is neonatal hypernatremia?

Hypernatremia is a serum sodium concentration > 150 mEq/L (> 150 mmol/L), usually caused by dehydration. Signs include lethargy and seizures. Treatment is cautious hydration with IV saline solution.

What IV fluids are used to treat hypernatremia?

Patients should be given intravenous 5% dextrose for acute hypernatremia or half-normal saline (0.45% sodium chloride) for chronic hypernatremia if unable to tolerate oral water.

What does hypernatremia do to the brain?

Acute hypernatremia shrinks the brain by dehydrating it. Our case shows that reversible brain shrinkage and compensatory widening of the subdural space are hallmarks of brain dehydration.

How do you fix hypernatremia in neonates?

Treatment of Neonatal Hypernatremia The goal of treatment is to decrease serum sodium by about 10 mEq/L/day (10 mmol/L/day). Correcting the serum sodium too rapidly can have significant adverse consequences including cerebral edema.

How does insufficient breastfeeding lead to hypernatremia?

A serious potential complication of insufficient breastfeeding is severe hypernatremic dehydration. Neonatal hypernatremic dehydration results from inadequate transfer of breast milk from mother to infant. Furthermore, poor milk drainage from the breasts results in persistence of high milk sodium concentrations.

What are the causes of hypernatraemia in babies?

Other causes of hypernatraemia • Diarrhoea • Excessive perspiration • Renal dysplasia • Obstructive uropathy • Osmotic diuresis • Diabetes insipidus • Idiopathic causes • Infection (meningitis, encephalitis) • Improperly mixed formula • Sodium bicarbonate or sodium chloride administration PREVENTION Babies at high risk

What should the serum sodium level be for a breastfed baby?

In breast fed babies • Serum sodium >145 mmol/L • mild: 146-149 mmol/L • moderate: 150-169 mmol/L • severe: >170 mmol/L AIM To prevent/treat hypernatraemic dehydration while encouraging breast feeding Other causes of hypernatraemia

What to do for a child with mild dehydration?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oral rehydration for patients with mild dehydration. Breastfed infants should continue to nurse. Fluids with high sugar content may worsen diarrhea and should be avoided. Children can be fed age-appropriate foods frequently but in small amounts.