1/3. malnutrition and hypernatraemia in breastfed babies.Despite the well-known advantages of breast-feeding to both mother and infant, malnutrition of breastfed infants does occur. We report two term neonates who presented in the 3rd week of life with severe wasting, hypernatraemic dehydration and pre-renal failure while being exclusively breastfed. Breast-milk sodium levels were markedly elevated on admission. Both infants recovered following adequate hydration and showed excellent catch-up growth during follow-up while exclusive breast-feeding was maintained. The critical malnutrition in both cases was detected by the family physician during routine postnatal visits. Both mothers were well motivated toward breast-feeding and were unaware of the severity of the baby's illness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Fatal hypernatremia from saltwater used as an emetic.An adolescent boy returned home from a party and told his parents he may have taken some pills while there. He was given saltwater to drink, in an effort to induce emesis. He vomited numerous times, then seized. hypernatremia (195 mmol/L) was diagnosed at the community hospital, and he was transferred to a pediatric intensive care facility. He suffered numerous complications and died from cerebral herniation. This case is presented to remind physicians of the dangers of this obsolete therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. starvation with hypernatremic dehydration in two breast-fed infants.Unrecognized breast feeding malnutrition may rapidly lead to life-threatening or neurologically devastating consequences. With the increased interest in lactation, it is important that physicians, dietitians, and nurses provide counseling to parents regarding the benefits and difficulties of breast feeding. Appropriate education, assessment of the infant's vigor and maternal milk supply prior to release from the hospital, and close follow-up evaluation are all necessary to help a mother feed successfully, to detect a developing problem, and to avert a potentially serious condition in the baby.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |