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Neonatal Hyponatremia

By

Kevin C. Dysart

, MD, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

Reviewed/Revised Mar 2021 | Modified Sep 2022
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Topic Resources

Hyponatremia is a serum sodium concentration < 135 mEq/L (< 135 mmol/L). Significant hyponatremia may cause seizures or coma. Treatment is cautious sodium replacement with IV 0.9% saline solution; rarely, 3% saline solution is required, particularly if seizures are occurring.

Etiology of Neonatal Hyponatremia

The most frequent cause of neonatal hyponatremia is hypovolemic dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea, or both. When fluid loses are replaced with fluids that have little or no sodium (eg, some juices), hyponatremia can result.

Finally, hypervolemic hyponatremia occurs in the setting of water retention and excess sodium retention, such as in heart failure or renal failure.

Symptoms and Signs of Neonatal Hyponatremia

Symptoms and signs of neonatal hyponatremia include nausea and vomiting, apathy, headache, seizures, hypothermia, weakness, and coma. Infants with hyponatremic dehydration may appear quite ill, because hyponatremia causes disproportionate reductions in extracellular fluid volume. Symptoms and signs are related to duration and degree of hyponatremia.

Diagnosis of Neonatal Hyponatremia

  • Serum sodium concentration

Diagnosis of neonatal hyponatremia is suspected because of symptoms and signs and confirmed by measuring serum sodium concentration. In dehydration, an increase in blood urea nitrogen may be observed.

Treatment of Neonatal Hyponatremia

  • IV 5% dextrose/0.45% to 0.9% saline solution

  • Rarely IV hypertonic (3%) saline solution

Treatment of neonatal hyponatremia is with 5% D/0.45% to 0.9% saline solution IV in volumes equal to the calculated deficit, given over as many days as it takes to correct the sodium concentration by no more than 10 to 12 mEq/L/day (10 to 12 mmol/L/day) to avoid rapid fluid shifts in the brain. Neonates with hypovolemic hyponatremia need volume expansion, using a solution containing salt to correct the sodium deficit (10 to 12 mEq/kg [10 to 12 mmol/kg] of body weight or even 15 mEq/kg [15 mmol/kg] in young infants with severe hyponatremia) and include sodium maintenance needs (3 mEq/kg/day [3 mmol/kg/day] in 5% dextrose solution). Neonates with symptomatic hyponatremia (eg, lethargy, confusion) require emergency treatment with 3% saline solution IV to prevent seizure or coma.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Aluvea , BP-50% Urea , BP-K50, Carmol, CEM-Urea, Cerovel, DermacinRx Urea, Epimide-50, Gord Urea, Gordons Urea, Hydro 35 , Hydro 40, Kerafoam, Kerafoam 42, Keralac, Keralac Nailstik, Keratol, Keratol Plus, Kerol, Kerol AD, Kerol ZX, Latrix, Mectalyte, Nutraplus, RE Urea 40, RE Urea 50 , Rea Lo, Remeven, RE-U40, RYNODERM , U40, U-Kera, Ultra Mide 25, Ultralytic-2, Umecta, Umecta Nail Film, URALISS, Uramaxin , Uramaxin GT, Urea, Ureacin-10, Ureacin-20, Urealac , Ureaphil, Uredeb, URE-K , Uremez-40, Ure-Na, Uresol, Utopic, Vanamide, Xurea, X-VIATE
Advocate Glucose SOS, BD Glucose, Dex4 Glucose, Glutol , Glutose 15 , Glutose 45 , Glutose 5
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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