Treatment of Severe Hypervolemic Hyponatremia in a Child With Pneumonia

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2016 Jun;32(6):390-1. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000823.

Abstract

A 21-month-old boy came to our attention because of pneumonia. His weight increased before presentation, and his blood test results showed hyponatremia (116 mEq/L), low plasma osmolarity (241 mOsm/L), and high urine osmolarity (435 mOsm/L). He was treated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution and intravenous furosemide, and sodium levels rose up to 135 mEq/L in 36 hours. No standard treatment is available for severe hyponatremia in children. The use of vaptans in pediatric patients is described in literature, but it lacks evidence about safety and effectiveness. We suggest that furosemide administration plus salt replacement is effective in restoring normal values of plasma sodium concentration in severe euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Furosemide / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / diagnosis*
  • Hyponatremia / therapy
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / therapy
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia / therapy

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Furosemide