Abstract

Aim: Excessive insensible water loss due to inadequate breast feeding and consequently hyperbilirubinemia are common clinical conditions in the early neonatal period. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and causes of hypernatremia in neonates hospitalized due to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2006, all patients admitted to our Neonatal Unit because of hyperbilirubinemia were assessed retrospectively. Term infants younger than 5 days were enrolled in the study whereas patients with major congenital abnormality and infection were excluded. Birth weight, body weight at admission, gender, delivery type, postnatal age (days) on admission, weight change since birth (percentage weight loss calculated on admission), maternal pariety, duration of hospitalization, serum sodium (Na), total bilirubin, urea and creatinin levels were recorded from patients; records. Patients with hypernatremia were compared to the normonatremic patients in terms of the parameters mentioned above. Results: Sixty six patients were male, 37 female and the mean birth weight was 3240 g. Of overall 103 patients, 31 patients had severe hypernatremia in study group. Those with hypernatremia had significantly higher urea and creatinin and more severe weight loss. The remaining parameters appeared to be insignificant. Conclusion: Successful breastfeeding is of great importance not only for development of jaundince in the early period but also preventing dehidration. The babies having severe weight loss in the early neonatal period carry high risk of hypernatremia associated with prerenal kidney failure and dehidration. Maintaining optimal nutrition, coaching the mothers on admission and close follow-up infants in the early period for feeding status are the key approaches