Hyponatremia at the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with intestinal surgery and higher mortality

It has previously been shown that hyponatremia reflects the severity of inflammation in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases. Interpretation of electrolyte disorders is a common, but not well studied challenge in neonatology, especially in the context of early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis and bowel necrosis. The aim of this study was to assess if hyponatremia, or a decrease in plasma sodium level, at the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with intestinal ischemia/necrosis requiring bowel resection and/or NEC-related deaths. This was a retrospective cohort study including patients with verified NEC (Bell’s stage ≥ 2) during the period 2009–2014. Data on plasma sodium 1–3 days before and at the onset of NEC were collected. The exposure was hyponatremia, defined as plasma sodium < 135 mmol/L and a decrease in plasma sodium. Primary outcome was severe NEC, defined as need for intestinal resection due to intestinal ischemia/necrosis and/or NEC-related death within 2 weeks of the onset of NEC. Generalized linear models were applied to analyze the primary outcome and presented as odds ratio. A total of 88 patients with verified NEC were included. Fifty-four (60%) of them had severe NEC. Hyponatremia and a decrease in plasma sodium at onset of NEC were associated with increased odds of severe NEC (OR crude 3.91, 95% CI (1.52–10.04) and 1.19, 95% CI (1.07–1.33), respectively). Also, a sub-analysis, excluding infants with pneumoperitoneum during the NEC episode, showed an increased odds ratio for severe NEC in infants with hyponatremia (OR 23.0, 95% CI (2.78–190.08)).Conclusions: The findings of hyponatremia and/or a sudden decrease in plasma sodium at the onset of NEC are associated with intestinal surgery or death within 2 weeks. What is Known:• Clinical deterioration, despite optimal medical treatment, is a relative indication for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.• Hyponatremia is a common condition in preterm infants from the second week of life. What is New:• Hyponatremia and a decrease in plasma sodium level at the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis are positively associated with need of surgery or death within 2 weeks.• In infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, without pneumoperitoneum, where clinical deterioration despite optimal medical treatment is the only indication for surgery, hyponatremia, or a decrease in plasma sodium level can predict the severity of the disease.

Incidence of hyperkalemia during hypertonic saline test for the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus

Objective Hyperkalemia has been reported upon different hypertonic saline infusion protocols. Since hypertonic saline test has recently been validated for the differential diagnosis of diabetes insipidus (DI), we aimed to investigate the course of plasma potassium during the test. Design We analyzed data of 90 healthy volunteers and 141 patients with polyuria–polydipsia syndrome (PPS) from two prospective studies evaluating the hypertonic saline test. Our primary outcome was the incidence rate of hypertonic saline-induced hyperkalemia > 5 mmol/L. Methods Participants received a 250 mL bolus of 3% NaCl solution, followed by 0.15 mL/min/kg body weight continuously infused targeting a plasma sodium level of 150 mmol/L. Blood samples and clinical data were collected every 30 min. Results Of the 231 participants, 16% (n = 37/231) developed hyperkalemia. The incidence of hyperkalemia was higher in healthy volunteers and in patients with primary polydipsia (25.6% (n = 23/90) and 9.9% (n = 14/141), respectively), and only occurred in 3.4% (n = 2/59) of patients with diabetes insipidus. Hyperkalemia developed mostly at or after 90-min test duration (81.1%, n => 30/37). Predictors of hyperkalemia (OR (95% CI)) were male sex (2.9 (1.2–7.4), P => 0.02), a plasma potassium at baseline > 3.9 mmol/L (5.2 (1.8–17.3), P => 0.004), normonatremia at 30-min test duration (3.2 (1.2–9.5), P => 0.03), and an increase in potassium levels already at 30-min test duration as compared to baseline (4.5 (1.7–12.3), P => 0.003). Hyperkalemia was transient and resolved spontaneously in all cases. Conclusion The hypertonic saline test can lead to hyperkalemia, especially in patients with primary polydipsia who experience a longer test duration. Monitoring potassium levels in these patients is recommended.

Hypernatremia post hydatid cyst resection: case report

Hypernatremia or increased sodium level is defined as the plasma sodium level over 145 m mol/l. The electrolyte abnormality is associated with severe mortality (40-60%). Patients presenting acutely with this entity have varied clinical spectrum ranging from unresponsive state, dysphagia, shortness of breath, vomiting to seizures, coma or to even death. Iatrogenic hypernatremia usually a rare entity ensues after usage of hypertonic saline as scolicidal agent during hydatid cyst resection surgeries. There is a need of high level of suspicion, to be maintained in all patients being managed for clinical conditions requiring use of hypertonic saline (3-20% NS). Here we present a case of iatrogenic hypernatremia, post-surgical resection of hydatid cyst, with clinical manifestation and subsequent management in our tertiary care hospital.

Severe hyponatremia with seizures and confirmed mild brain edema by hysteroscopic myomectomy: a case report

Background Hyponatremia can be developed during hysteroscopic surgery with electrolyte-free irrigation fluid. We experienced severe hyponatremia with postoperative seizures and confirmed mild brain edema. Case presentation A quadragenarian female patient underwent a 2-h hysteroscopic myomectomy with electrolyte-free fluid for uterine distension under general anesthesia. Plasma sodium level of 84.1 mmol/L 100 min after the start of surgery indicated excessive absorption of the irrigation fluid. Acute severe hyponatremia was diagnosed with significant edema in the conjunctiva, lip, and extremities. She was treated with a continuous infusion of hypertonic saline. However, seizures and cerebral edema developed 7 h later. The patient recovered without neurological deficits at postoperative day 2. Conclusion The electrolyte-free irrigation fluid can be absorbed rapidly during hysteroscopic surgery. Its interruption with hyponatremia should be considered against prolonged surgery. Especially under general anesthesia, caution should be exercised because the typical symptoms of hyponatremia such as nausea and confusion are blinded.

Challenges in the diagnostics and management of hydrochlorothiazide-induced severe hyponatremia in a habitual beer drinker

Introduction. Beer potomania is a syndrome of severe hyponatremia caused by excessive beer consumption. The risk of hyponatremia increases in the case of a combination of beer potomania and the use of thiazide diuretics. Case report. A 55-year-old male patient with the anamnesis of a long-lasting alcohol use disorder was presented to the emergency department after seizures accompanied by an impaired mental status. He had been drinking beer regularly for ten years. On physical examination, the patient was tachypneic, tachycardic, disorientated, restless, the Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9, observed tremor, and the smell of alcohol from the mouth. Laboratory results showed plasma sodium 105 mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen 1.8 mmol/L, the alcohol concentration in the blood 0.06 g/l, and calculated serum osmolality 219 mOsm/kg H2O. After a detailed initial evaluation of the patient and labs for hyponatremia, a diagnosis of beer potomania was established. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient’s anamnesis was filled with information about the use of Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide, together with reduced salt intake in the diet for three months for arterial hypertension treatment. It was decided that the combination of heavy beer drinking with the use of diuretic and reduced consumption of salt provoked hyponatremia. The patient was treated with infusion therapy of sodium chloride; plasma sodium level reached 136 on the third day of treatment. Conclusions. This case represents an unusual syndrome of beer potomania in conjunction with hydrochlorothiazide usage and reduced salt consumption, which can result in severe hyponatremia that may provoke severe neurologic damage.

A comparative analysis of hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone induced hyponatremia at the dose commonly prescribed in clinical practice

Background: Despite the differences in cardiovascular outcomes, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, the diuretics, chlorthalidone (CTD) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) are often considered as interchangeable. There is an on-going debate whether CTD should be preferred over HCTZ, because it appears to be more effective in the prevention of cardiovascular events. The relative difference in the incidence of hypokalemia and hyponatremia, is also a topic of debate. With this background, the study was carried out to compare the prevalence of hyponatremia between CTD and HCTZ used in the treatment of hypertension at the dose commonly prescribed in clinical practice.Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out on a convenience sample of 74 adult patients with provisional diagnosis of hyponatremia or with a plasma sodium level of less than 135mmol/L and having a history of anti-hypertensive use of HTCZ or CTD in the dose range of 12.5-25mg/day and 6.25-12.5mg/day respectively. Chi square test and independent samples ‘t’ test were used analyse the results in GraphPad Prism 6.0.Results: HCTZ was found to be the preferred diuretic in hypertension, whereas CTD was preferred in the age group of 65-74 years. The symptoms indicative of hyponatremia as well as a lower plasma sodium level were more common in the HTCZ treated group. Patients of hypertension using CTD were less predisposed to hyponatremia (OR 0.804, 95% CI 0.207-3.12).Conclusions: Chlorthalidone, when used at a lower dose of 6.25-12.5mg/day for the treatment of hypertension cause a lesser risk of hyponatremia than hydrochlorothiazide.