TITLE:
Hyponatremia is Associated with Increased Severity of Disease in Critically Ill Children with Bronchiolitis
AUTHORS:
Michael E. Seifert, Scott R. Welak, Christopher L. Carroll
KEYWORDS:
Hyponatremia, Bronchiolitis, Pediatrics, Critical Care
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.1 No.2,
November
30,
2010
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality seen in the intensive care unit (ICU), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Critically ill children with bronchiolitis are at risk of developing hyponatremia, due to impaired renal free water excretion and exogenous sources of excess free water intake. We hypothesize that the development of hyponatremia is associated with a more complicated clinical course in critically ill children with bronchiolitis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted that included all children admitted to the ICU with bronchiolitis over a two year period (n = 59). Patients were divided into two clinical groups: those that were hyponatremic (serum sodium