Objective: The incidence of hypernatremic dehydration because of the lactation failure in newborns, causing higher rates of morbidity and mortality, has increased in recent years. The aim of the study was to identify the preventive approaches for hypernatremic dehydration by determining demographic characteristics and epidemiologic risk factors in newborns with hypernatremic dehydration.

Material and Methods: A total of 87 term neonates with a serum sodium level ≥150 mEq/L that presented at our clinic between January 2009 and June 2012 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: There were 49 (56%) male and 38 (44%) female infants. Mean birth weight was 3424±395 grams. Mean age and mean percentage of weight loss at admission were 4.3±2.8 days and 12.2±4.2 % respectively. The percentages of spontaneous vaginal delivery and primiparous mothers were 51.7% and 75.8% respectively. Breast milk had been used exclusively in 97%. The most common complaints were fever (24.7%), jaundice (23.5%), and poor absorption (10.6%), while 37.6% did not have symptoms at the time of hospital admission. One infant received a diagnosis of intracranial venous thrombosis and another infant lower extremity venous thrombosis over the study period. The mean sodium, urea and creatinine levels at admission were 155.2±6.2 mEq/L, 89.1±73.9 mg/dl and 0.89±0.65 mg/dl respectively. Intravenous fluid resuscitation was required in 67% of the infants. Mean duration of hospitalization was 2.6±2.3 days.

Conclusion: Hypernatremic dehydration from lactation failure remains a serious problem in newborns. Routine newborn examination in the first few days of life is important for the early diagnosis and prevention of this condition. Hypernatremic dehydration should be considered in infants with fever, jaundice and poor sucking. Moreover, determination of the Na level should be helpful when required

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Hypernatremia, Dehydration