Management of hypernatremic dehydration due to insufficient lactation

Abstract

Critical malnutrition and hypernatremic dehydration resulting from inadequate breast-feeding have previously been reported; the finding of elevated sodium concentration in expressed samples of mother's milk from these infants is found concurrently. This is the first case report describing successful relactation following management of hypernatremic dehydration in a breast-fed infant. Mother's milk was of inadequate volume and had a high sodium content. Treatment of the primary cause of this disorder, insufficient lactation, was effective in allowing successful relactation; a nursing supplementer is described.