DEFINITION
Hypernatremia is that high blood sodium levels.
CAUSE
Hypernatremia can be caused by excessive salt intake or
exhaust too much water from the body.
Water loss is very common in premature babies as much water
evaporates through the skin. This situation worsened due to kidney development
are not perfect, so it can not absorb water well and a lot of water is wasted
through urine.
Water loss is also most common in infants with diarrhea,
vomiting, or high fever. In addition, the newborn also may not get adequate
fluid intake in the first few days after birth, such as the mother and the baby
is still learning to breastfeed).
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms that can be found in infants with
hypernatremia include baby seems lethargic, nervous, stiff, and seizures can
occur.
Newborns who lost a lot of fluid can become dehydrated,
which the skin and mucous membranes become dry, urine little or no urination at
all, and may decrease blood pressure.
In severe cases, hypernatremia or dehydration can cause
brain damage or death.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is confirmed by examining the levels of sodium in
the blood.
TREATMENT
Infants with severe dehydration should receive intravenous
fluids to restore the body fluid volume. Weight, electrolyte levels in the
blood, and the amount of urine produced should be monitored on a regular basis,
so that treatment can be provided with appropriate fluid.
REFERENCE
- E, Ewa. Pediatric hypernatremia. Medscape. 2012.
- J, Nicholas. Neonatal hypernatremia. The Merck Manual.
2012.
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