Risk factors associated with neonatal hypernatremic dehydration

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal hypernatremic dehydration is a growing problem, in which feeding and knowledge about newborn care play a key role.

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with hypernatremic dehydration in neonates.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study in a population of 20 neonates with hypernatremic dehydration admitted to the intermediate care service of a hospital in Lima, Peru between June 2017 and September 2018. All of them had serum sodium concentrations ≥150 mmol/L. The collection of information was extracted from medical records.

Results: Of the 20 neonates with hypernatremic dehydration, those born by cesarean section are equivalent to 30%, while by vaginal delivery, 70% of cases. It was shown that there is an inverse relationship between gestation number and sodium concentrations at admission, however, there was no statistical significance. A decrease was achieved between input sodium and its first control, with a mean decrease of 0.57 meq/L/h. Clinically, the affected neonates developed a higher percentage of jaundice and fever. No significant relationship was found between the rest of the associated factors.

Conclusions: Among the risk factors associated with hypernatremic dehydration, it stands out that the group born by cesarean section was lower than those born by vaginal delivery, which influences the number of early discharges at birth. Jaundice and fever continue to be the clinical features that should be identified early. This is a preventable condition if adequate information is provided to the mother about neonatal care.