Evaluation of Term Newborn Patients With Hypernatremic Dehydration

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Pediatric Nephrology
• Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

• Hypernatremic dehydration (HDH) is a critical condition in newborns.
• Understanding the clinical and laboratory profile of HDH is essential for timely management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings in newborns with hypernatremic dehydration.
• To assess the management and outcomes of these infants.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 85 term newborns with serum sodium > 145 mEq/L.
• Data collected on demographics, presenting complaints, laboratory values, and treatment.

Main Results:

• Common symptoms include breastfeeding difficulties (90.5%), fever (63.5%), and decreased urination (43.5%).
• High rates of metabolic acidosis (67%) and acute renal failure (74.4%) were observed.
• Mortality rate was 9.4%, with higher levels of urea, creatinine, potassium, acidosis, and convulsions in non-survivors.

Conclusions:

• Serum urea, creatinine, potassium, metabolic acidosis, and convulsions at admission are indicators of poor prognosis in newborns with HDH.
• Convulsions were a significant presenting symptom and occurred during treatment.