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Hypernatraemic dehydration in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia
1Department of Paediatrics, Hail General Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Hypernatraemic dehydration significantly affects infants in this region, often linked to improper bottle-feeding preparation. Education on hygiene and correct formula mixing is crucial to prevent serious infant illness and death.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypernatraemic dehydration is a serious condition in infants.
- Gastroenteritis is a common cause of infant hospitalizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of hypernatraemic dehydration in infants.
- To identify predisposing factors for hypernatraemic dehydration.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 520 infants with gastroenteritis over one year.
- Analysis of infant demographics, feeding practices, and socioeconomic factors.
Main Results:
- 25 infants (4.8%) presented with hypernatraemia, all under one year old.
- Predisposing factors included bottle-feeding, poor maternal education on hygiene and formula preparation, and village residence.
- High fever and underweight were common among affected infants.
Conclusions:
- Hypernatraemic dehydration has a significant incidence and high morbidity/mortality in the studied region.
- Breast-feeding is important; education on safe bottle-feeding practices is essential when breast-feeding is not feasible.
Abstract:
Infants presenting with hypernatraemic dehydration were studied prospectively in order to describe its incidence and the predisposing factors. Five hundred and twenty children with gastroenteritis were admitted to the Paediatric Unit of Hail General Hospital over a 1-year period from 1 June 1985 to 1 June 1986. Twenty-five children (4.8%) had hypernatraemia (Na+ greater than 150 mmol/l) and all 25 were under 1 year of age, 23 (92%) being under 6 months. Twenty (80%) came from families living in the villages and had a poor educational background. All the babies were bottle-fed. The majority of the mothers did not know how to prepare food hygienically and with the appropriate water/milk proportions. Most of the infants presented with high fever (+39 degrees C) and the majority were underweight for their age. Two babies died and one had evidence of neurological damage. This study indicates that the incidence of hypernatraemic dehydration is significant in this region and causes serious morbidity and mortality. It confirms the importance of breast-feeding and the need to educate the public in the proper preparation of bottle feeds when breast-feeding is not possible.