Hyponatremia among Postoperative Children Administered with Hypotonic Fluids in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hypotonic solutions in postoperative children may cause hyponatremia. Considering humidity and temperatures in India, this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hyponatremia among postoperative children who were administered with hypotonic solutions in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Ethical approval was taken from the institutional review board of Christian Medical College, Vellore, India (Reference number: 9177). Children aged less than 15 years undergoing elective surgery, requiring fasting for more than 12 hours post-operatively with normal preoperative electrolytes and renal functions were included. Hypotonic fluids were administered following existent protocol. Electrolytes were repeated immediate postoperatively and at 12-24 hours. Data was entered into and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18.0. Point estimate at 90% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 109 participants, hyponatremia in the postoperative period was seen in 53 (48.6%) (40.7-56.5 at 90% Confidence Interval) children. Hyponatremia was found in the immediate postoperative period in 10 (9.2%) children. All received Ringer Lactate as maintenance intra-operatively and none were severe enough to need correction. In the 12–24-hour sample, 43 (39.41%) had hyponatremia and none in severe category. Conclusions: Asymptomatic hyponatremia was noted in normal children planned for elective surgery. Among children managed with the existing institutional perioperative (hypotonic) fluid management protocol, subclinical postoperative hyponatremia within 12-24 hours of surgery was noted in a significant proportion, which was more in the hot and warm months in tropics. There are grounds for switching to isotonic fluids for perioperative management.

Severe hospital-acquired hyponatremia in acutely ill children receiving moderately hypotonic fluids

Background Hypotonic fluids have been associated with hospital-acquired hyponatremia. The incidence of life-threatening severe hyponatremia associated with hypotonic fluids has not been evaluated. Methods This was a population-based cohort study of 46,518 acutely ill children 15 years of age or under who visited the pediatric emergency department (ED) at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, between 2007 and 2017. We retrieved all electrolyte measurements from the comprehensive electronic laboratory system and reviewed medical records for all patients with severe hyponatremia. Results The overall occurrence of severe hyponatremia (serum sodium < 125 mmol/L) was found in 27 out of 46,518 acutely ill children (0.06%, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.08%). After admission, severe hyponatremia developed in seven of 6,984 children receiving moderately hypotonic fluid therapy (0.1%, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.2%), usually within 8 h of admission. All children who developed severe hyponatremia during hospitalization were severely ill. Conclusion In this register-based cohort study of children presenting to the ED, severe hyponatremia developed in one of 998 acutely ill children receiving moderately hypotonic fluid therapy. Graphical abstract A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information

Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state: first presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in an adolescent with complex medical needs

This is a case of hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) as first presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in a 14-year-old girl with background complex medical needs. She presented with marked hyperglycaemia (56 mmol/L) without significant ketonaemia (2.6 mmol/L) and serum hyperosmolality (426 mOsm/kg). Managing her profound hypernatraemic (>180 mmol/L) dehydration was challenging but resulted in good outcome. Paediatric patients with HHS will likely be treated with the diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol because of perceived rarity of HHS leading to inadequate rehydration and risk of vascular collapse. Hence, emphasis on the differences in the management protocols of DKA and HHS is paramount. Prompt recognition and adequate management are crucial to avert complications. The undesirable rate of decline of hypernatraemia due to the use of hypotonic fluid was captured in this case. We describe the pivotal role of liberal fluid therapy with non-hypotonic fluids.

Are Further Interventions Needed to Prevent and Manage Hospital-Acquired Hyponatraemia? A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of IV Fluid Prescribing Practices

Background: Hyponatraemia is associated with increased morbidity, increased mortality and is frequently hospital-acquired due to inappropriate administration of hypotonic fluids. Despite several attempts to minimise the risk, knowledge is lacking as to whether inappropriate prescribing practice continues to be a concern. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in Danish emergency department physicians in spring 2019. Prescribing practices were assessed by means of four clinical scenarios commonly encountered in the emergency department. Thirteen multiple-choice questions were used to measure knowledge. Results: 201 physicians responded corresponding to 55.4% of the total population of physicians working at emergency departments in Denmark. About a quarter reported that they would use hypotonic fluids in patients with increased intracranial pressure and 29.4% would use hypotonic maintenance fluids in children, both of which are against guideline recommendations. Also, 29.4% selected the correct fluid, a 3% hypertonic saline solution, for a patient with hyponatraemia and severe neurological symptoms, which is a medical emergency. Most physicians were unaware of the impact of hypotonic fluids on plasma sodium in acutely ill patients. Conclusion: Inappropriate prescribing practices and limited knowledge of a large number of physicians calls for further interventions to minimise the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia.

Choice of maintenance intravenous fluids among paediatric residents in Canada

Background Recent literature and guidelines support routine use of isotonic intravenous (IV) fluids for maintenance therapy in hospitalized infants and children. Current prescribing practices are unknown. Objective To elicit paediatric residents’ choice of maintenance IV fluids, particularly with regard to tonicity, in a variety of clinical scenarios and patient ages. We hypothesized that residents would choose isotonic fluids in most cases, but there would be substantially more variability in fluid choice in the neonatal age group. Methods An Internet-based survey was e-mailed to trainees in the 17 paediatric residency programs across Canada, via the Canadian Paediatric Program Directors. The survey instrument included questions related to training, followed by a series of questions eliciting choice of IV fluid in a variety of clinical situations. Results A total of 147 survey responses were submitted (22% response rate). Isotonic solutions were selected by &gt;75% across all clinical scenarios involving infants and children. Very hypotonic fluids were seldom chosen. There was more variability in fluid choice in neonates, with evidence of significant differences in fluid tonicity based on senior versus junior resident status and geographical location. Conclusions Results imply a predominance of isotonic fluid use in infants and children, suggesting that clinical practice has changed in response to risk of hyponatremia with hypotonic IV fluids. As hypothesized, there was more variability with respect to choice of maintenance fluids in neonates. This likely reflects a paucity of guidance in an age group with unique physiologic factors affecting fluid and electrolyte status.