ABSTRACT

In recent years the number of newborns with hypernatremic dehydration with high morbidity and mortality complicating with acute renal failure, convulsions, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple cerebrovascular accident is increasing. The aim of the present study was to establish preventive measures in reducing the number of dehydrated newborns by determining demographic characteristics and epidemiologic risk factors in newborns with hypernatremic dehydration. A total of 41 term and near-term newborns admitted with hypernatremic dehydration between October 2002 and September 2005 were included. Mean age of the patients and mean weight loss on admission were 5.1±2.2 days and 13±4.1%, respectively. Hypernatremic dehydration was higher in primiparous mothers and cesarean deliveries. Fever was the most common (68%) presenting sign and most of the cases (>78%) were found to be moderately to severely dehydrated. Mean serum sodium and mean breastmilk sodium concentrations were 157±7.2 mEq/L and 77±23 mEq/L, respectively. Routine newborn examination in the first few (3rd and 7th) days of life is useful in the early diagnosis and prevention of hypernatremic dehydration. Education of the mother with respect to newborn care and nutrition will decrease the number of newborns with hypernatremic dehydration resulting from nutritional insufficiency.