Hypernatremic Dehydration Risk Factors in Newborns: Prospective Case-Controlled Study

Background The prevalence of hypernatremic dehydration (HND) has increased in recent years most likely due to insufficient intake of breast milk as the most important factor. This study aimed to investigate risk factors of HND. Methods In this study, 47 neonates whom were diagnosed to have HND were included in the study group and 96 healty neonates whom were included in the control group. While demographic data of the patients were recorded, mothers were asked to fill out the sociodemographic/ psychosocial data form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale(EPDS) and STAI I and II State and Trait Anxiety Scale. Breast milk sodium concentrations were studied from mothers of all infants. The relationship between the development of neonatal HND and risk factors affecting this condition were evaluated. Results Being the first-born baby of the family was found to be a significant risk factor for HND. Breast milk sodium concentration was 25.8±7.9 mmol/L in the HND group which was significantly higher than the control group. Median depression score was similar in both groups and there was no statistical difference in terms of groups. The anxiety score was higher in the control group compared to the study group. There was no difference in terms of other sociodemographic / psychosocial data of mothers. Conclusion Primiparity or insufficient breastfeeding may result in elevated breast milk sodium levels and related neonatal HND. Breastfeeding support should principally target primiparous women to improve breastfeeding outcomes like as especially HND.

Clinical profile and outcome of neonates admitted in sick newborn care unit with hypernatremic dehydration and association with breastfeeding in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India

Background: Neonatal hypernatremic dehydration is a very commonly seen potentially devastating condition. Inadequate breastfeeding, gastrointestinal losses, warm weather and improperly diluted mixed feeding are the main etiologies linked with neonatal hypernatremic dehydration. We conducted this study to evaluate the etiology, risk factors, clinical symptoms and outcomes of neonates admitted with hypernatremic dehydration and its association with breastfeeding from hilly region in northern India.Methods: The authors retrospectively studied records from extramural sick newborn care unit (SNCU) from April 2018 to June 2019. Inclusion criteria for the study included admitted neonates with documented hypernatremia (serum sodium level >145 mmol/L). Results: Nine hundred and twenty-two neonates were admitted in sick newborn care unit during this study period. One hundred and three (13.39%) newborns were admitted with hypernatremic dehydration at the time of admission. All newborns had deranged kidney function tests at time of admission. Most commonly found presenting complaints were poor feeding (85.71%), fever (45.71%), loose stools (42.8%) and decreased urine output (8%). The mean (SD) sodium on admission was 154.04 (7.41) meq/L. The mean (SD) time taken to correct hypernatremia was 35.6 (14.6) hours. Six of total admitted newborn developed neurological complications (2 had developed cerebral venous thrombosis and 4 had developed seizures). Mortality rate was 4.4%. Top fed neonates (50.41%) had higher percentage of mean sodium level and acute kidney injury at time of admission.Conclusions: Hypernatremic dehydration is preventable and treatable condition. Looking in to and addressing etiology in a timely manner is main step in management. All mothers should be taught correct breastfeeding technique. More breast examination during prenatal and postnatal periods and careful neonatal weight record postnatally could decrease the incidence of neonatal hypernatremic dehydration. Top feeding should be discouraged and only exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.

Hypernatremic Dehydration in Breast Fed Infants: Lessons from a Baby-Friendly Hospital

Aim To determine the incidence, presentation and outcome of all neonates admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies with a diagnosis of breastfeeding associated hypernatremic dehydration during a 15-year period and make comparisons with an earlier study done at the institution. Methods A retrospective review of the files of neonates admitted to the neonatal unit with breastfeeding associated hypernatremic dehydration between January 2002 and December 2016 was conducted. Data on maternal and neonatal demographics, presentation, laboratory results and outcome were extracted and descriptive analyses performed. Statistical significance was taken at the level p < 0.05. Results Eighty neonates were entered into the study, 79 were inborn giving an incidence of 2.5 per 1000 live births. Fifty-five (71%) mothers were primiparous, with a mean ± SD age of 29.5 ± 5.6 years and mean ± SD length of hospital stay 2.6 ± 1.5 days. Fifty-six (71%) neonates were exclusively breastfed with a mean ± SD age at presentation of 5.6 ± 3.8 days, mean ± SD percentage weight loss of 16.3% ± 6.1% and a mean serum ± SD sodium of 156.1 ± 8.3 mmol/l. Fifty-four (68%) neonates were admitted from home and 22 (28%) from the postnatal ward. Complications seen included acute kidney injury 6 (8%), seizures 2 (3%), hypotonia 1 (1%) and bradycardia 1 (1%). The neonates were detected earlier, presented with a significantly lower mean serum sodium, urea and creatinine (p < 0.05), had less severe complications and no deaths compared with neonates in the previous study. Conclusion Early intervention can make a positive impact on the severity and complications of breastfeeding associated hypernatremia.

A Case of Congenital Glucose Galactose Malabsorption with a New Mutation in the SLC5A1 Gene

Congenital glucose-galactose malabsorption (CGGM) is an autosomal recessive disorder originating from an abnormal transporter mechanism in the intestines. It was sourced from a mutation in the SLC5A1 gene, which encodes a sodium-dependent glucose transporter. Here we report a 2-day-old girl with CGGM who presented with severe hypernatremic dehydration due to diarrhea beginning in the first hours of life. Mutation analysis revealed a novel homozygous mutation NM_000343.3 c.127G > A (p.Gly43Arg) in the SLC5A1 gene. Since CGGM can cause fatal diarrhea in the early neonatal period, timely diagnosis of the disease seems to be essential.

Neonatal Hypernatremic Dehydration Associated with Lactation Failure

Hypernatremic dehydration secondary to lactation failure remains a potentially life-threatening condition in countries where advanced laboratory investigations are scarce. An 11-day term baby with excessive weight loss (33.6%), reduced urine output, fever, jaundice, doughy skin, opisthotonus posturing, and tachycardia with poor perfusion was presented to our neonatal care. The baby was diagnosed with shock with hypernatremic dehydration. An initial bolus of 20 ml/kg of N/S was repeated 3 times (each over 20 minutes), i.e., a total of 204 ml was given over 1 hr, until the vital signs were normalized to PR-145, RR-45, T-37.2°C, SPO2-100%, and CRT < 3 seconds, and the baby began to void urine. Free water deficit and sodium excess was managed by gradual and slow correction over 72 hours to prevent cerebral oedema and neurologic sequelae. The baby required reconstituted solutions of 5% D/W + 1/2 N/S at a rate of 27 ml/hr for 72 hrs. Sepsis and hyperbilirubinemia were treated with antibiotics and phototherapy. Management of symptomatic hypernatremic dehydration must be considered in settings with inadequate laboratory facilities.