To the Editor: Dr Alam and colleagues1 described 40 children treated with oral rehydration solution for diarrheal dehydration who experienced seizures associated with severe hyponatremia (sodium, <120 mEq/L). In their study, hyponatremia was treated with 12 mL/kg of 3% sodium chloride over a 4-hour period. This would be expected to raise the serum sodium by a minimum of 12 mEq/L in 4 hours, a more rapid increase than may be safe.2 The appropriate use of 3% sodium chloride for the treatment of symptomatic hyponatremia is controversial, as some studies have suggested that an excessive correction of hyponatremia can lead to the development of cerebral demyelination.3 If these children had a good neurological outcome, it would support the safety of using 3% sodium chloride in children with symptomatic hyponatremia.
Financial Disclosures: None reported.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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