[Seizures and hyponatremia in a newborn infant]

A three days old mature female newborn presented with seizures. The diagnostic data revealed a hyponatraemia (113 mmol/l) as pathogenic origin. Further causes of convulsions could be excluded. Administering saline solution (0.9%) intravenously the plasma sodium level reached normal ranges within 36 hours. We propose that an excessive enteral administration of glucose solution during the first three days of life must have led to dilutional hyponatraemia. This suggestion is in accordance with observations in older children presenting with similar symptoms.