Hypernatraemic dehydration in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Infants presenting with hypernatraemic dehydration were studied prospectively in order to describe its incidence and the predisposing factors. Five hundred and twenty children with gastroenteritis were admitted to the Paediatric Unit of Hail General Hospital over a 1-year period from 1 June 1985 to 1 June 1986. Twenty-five children (4.8%) had hypernatraemia (Na+ greater than 150 mmol/l) and all 25 were under 1 year of age, 23 (92%) being under 6 months. Twenty (80%) came from families living in the villages and had a poor educational background. All the babies were bottle-fed. The majority of the mothers did not know how to prepare food hygienically and with the appropriate water/milk proportions. Most of the infants presented with high fever (+39 degrees C) and the majority were underweight for their age. Two babies died and one had evidence of neurological damage. This study indicates that the incidence of hypernatraemic dehydration is significant in this region and causes serious morbidity and mortality. It confirms the importance of breast-feeding and the need to educate the public in the proper preparation of bottle feeds when breast-feeding is not possible.