Hypernatremic dehydration in insufficient breastfed newborns

Purpose: Breast-feeding is the best and safest way to feed infants. However, inadequate breastfeeding may result in hypernatremic dehydration and serious neurological complications in neonates. The aim of the present paper was to define the incidence, complications, morbidity and mortality of hypernatremic dehydration due to inadequate breast-feeding in a neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Methods: Forthy six newborn who diagnosed as hypernatremic dehydration were investigated retrospectively between January 2004- December 2007. Results: The newborns in this study 65.0% were primiparity and 63% were spontaneous vaginal delivery. Hospitalization period was 1.4±0.3 days in spontaneous vaginal delivery. Average postnatal age of these patients was 7.18±3.2 days and average weight loss according to birthweight was 15.1%. The most common presenting symptom was fever (41.3%). Mean serum sodium level was 162.3±8.9 mEq/lt and these patients had 54.4%severe, 32.6% moderate and 13.0% mild dehydration according to physical and laboratory findings. Conclusion: Low level of maternal knowledge in lactation and failure of early postnatal follow up was associated with the neonatal hypernatremic dehydration. Increased efforts are required to establish successful breast-feeding and all breastfed infants should receive regular follow-up by health-care worker.