Hypernatraemic dehydration in newborn infants

Hypernatraemic dehydration is a potentially lethal condition and is associated with cerebral oedema, intracranial haemorrhage, hydrocephalus and gangrene. The infant’s plasma sodium concentration is elevated due predominantly to loss of extracellular water. In the past, hypernatraemia occurred most frequently when artificial feeds of too high a sodium concentration were fed to babies. This was more common in infants who were fed powdered milk, especially if the mother added extra scoops of powder and failed to provide enough water in the mixture. The resultant hypernatraemia may have stimulated the child’s thirst, and further feeds high in sodium would exacerbate the problem.