Skip to main content

Hyponatremia, Pediatric

Paul R. Brakeman, MD, PhD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Sodium cation (Na+) is the major extracellular cation and is important osmole in the extracellular space.

  • A positive Na+ balance is required for growth.

  • Serum Na+ levels reflect extrac...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients may present with fatigue, muscle weakness, confusion, altered mental status, seizure, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting.

  • Determine current medications.

  • Identify extrarenal loss...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Hyponatremia can be life-threatening and management primarily depends on the etiology, severity of hyponatremia, ongoing losses, and presence of symptoms. In severe and/or sy...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • In children with mild hyponatremia and clear cause of hyponatremia (such as GI losses SIADH with a clear self-limited cause such as pneumonia or surgery), further...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Lavagno C, Milani GP, Uestuener P, et al. Hyponatremia in children with acute respiratory infections: a reappraisal. Pediatr Pulmonol.  2017;52(7):962–967. [View Abstract on Ov...

CODES

ICD9

276.1 Hyposmolality and/or hyponatremia 

ICD10

E87.1 Hypo-osmolality and hyponatremia 

SNOMED

  • 89627008 Hyponatremia

  • 42669007 Hyponatremia with excess extracellular fluid volume

  • 4575002 Acute hypon...

FAQ

  • Q: What is the primary mechanism for developing hyponatremia in hospitalized children?

  • A: Excessive ADH in the setting of stress, pneumonia, respiratory distress, CNS disease, and/or postoperative ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×