Clinical audit on management of hypernatremia in the Gastroenterology Department of Assiut University Children Hospital

Introduction Hypernatremia is a sodium concentration more than 145 mEq/l, although it is sometimes defined as more than 150 mEq/l. Mild hypernatremia is fairly common in children, especially among infants with gastroenteritis. Hypernatremia in hospitalized patients may be iatrogenic due to inadequate water administration or, by excessive administration of sodium. Moderate or severe hypernatremia has significant morbidity, including the result of the underlying illness, the effects of hypernatremia on the central nervous system, and the risks of rapid correction. Hypernatremia may be mild [Na+] 146–149 mmol/l, moderate [Na+] 150–169 mmol/l or severe [Na+] more than or equal to 170 mmol/l. Patients and methods This study was a clinical audit on the management of hypernatremia among children admitted to the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit in Assiut University Children Hospital during the period spanning from the 1st of March 2017 to the 31st of August 2017. All children with gastroenteritis who were admitted were investigated, and those with hypernatremia were included in this study. Results The present study included 220 children with hypernatremia who were admitted to the Gastroenterology Unit of Assiut University Children Hospital over a period of 6 months. During this period, 2665 patients were admitted in the Gastroenterology Unit; 220 cases of them were hypernatremic (8.25% of admitted cases).