A case of transient blindness in a postoperative hyponatremic child

Hyponatremia represents a common electrolyte disorder in postoperative patients. Headache, nausea, emesis, weakness and lethargy are all consistent symptoms of hyponatremia in children. Among the neurologic symptoms that are infrequently seen in severe hyponatremic pediatric patients seizure is included while visual disorders are not. We report a case of an 8-year-old boy who underwent abdominal surgery and developed severe hyponatremia. Five days after surgery the child suffered a seizure and successively experienced bilateral visual loss. However, after prompt correction of serum sodium concentration, a complete resolution of the blindness was obtained. Thus, we discuss the present case speculating on the pathogenesis of hyponatremic blindness and on its possible therapeutic approach. In conclusion, we suggest that blindness is to be considered a rare symptom that can occur in the clinical scenario of hyponatremia and we report its complete reversibility after timely treatment of hyponatremia.