Prevalence and risk factors for hypernatremia in severely dehydrated infants at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background Hypernatremia is associated with a mortality rate ranging from 15% to 60%, residual brain deficits, hypertonia and convulsions. Prevalence of hypernatremia inseverely dehydrated infants has not been well described previously. Objectives A case control study was done to determine prevalence of hypernatremia in severely dehydrated infants at Kenyatta National Hospital, risk factors for hypernatremia in severely dehydrated infants and to document early adverse clinical outcomes in infants with hypernatremic dehydration. Methodology Serum sodium levels of severely dehydrated infants were determined. Infants presenting with hypernatremia were recruited as cases. Controls were infants with normal sodium levels and those with hyponatremia. Characteristics of cases and both controls were compared to determine risk factors for hypernatremia. Early adverse clinical outcomes in the study population were documented by clinical re-evaluation during the first seven days following admission