Characterization of full term newborns with hypernatremic dehydration

Abstract

The hypernatremic neonatal dehydration is a severe condition whose incidence has increased in recent years resulting in complications leading to the hospitalization of the newborn.

Objective: Describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of term-newborns with Hypernatremic Dehydration diagnosis.

Patients and Method: Descriptive observational study of hospitalized termnewborns due to hypernatremic dehydration between a period from 2014 to 2016. Term newborns over 37 weeks with clinical signs of dehydration (dry mucous membranes, depressed fontanel, tearless crying, signs of the cutaneous pleat), and/or excessive weight loss greater than 7% and serum sodium greater than 145 mEq/L were included. Sociodemographic and biochemical variables were recorded for analysis.

Results: 43 neonates were included. 60.5 percent of their mothers were primiparous, 90 percent of neonates received exclusive breastfeeding, mothers reported breastfeeding problems in 76.7 percent. Incoming neonates reported weight loss compared to birth weight at 15.3% on average. 83.3% had public health insurance. 65.1% had dehydration clinical signs at entry and 83.5% transient neurological signs. The average sodium was 155 mEq/L at revenue. The sodium decrease in the first 24 hours of handling was 7.74 mEq/L (0.32mEq/L per hour). The correction of the hypernatremia was 55.8% by oral intake and 4 days hospital stay on average.

Conclusions: The feeding's problems came up in a (76%), primiparous mothers in an (88.4%). 90.6 percent of this population administered exclusive breastfeeding, results that can help to alert the health professional to timely identification, warning signs, and early post-discharge control and preventive measures.