Manejo de deshidratación con alteración del sodio en pacientes pediátricos / Management of dehydration with sodium alteration in pediatric patients

Los cuadros de deshidratación son frecuentes en pediatría, muchos de ellos acompañados de alteraciones electrolíticas. La deshidratación asociada a trastornos del sodio puede implicar riesgos para la salud de los pacientes pediátricos tanto en el desarrollo del cuadro como en su tratamiento. Objetivo: crear un algoritmo de manejo de los cuadros de deshidratación asociados a lateraciones del sodio para manejo de pacientes pediátricos. Métodos: se realizó revisión de la literatura disponible sobre deshidratación con hiper e hiponatremia, en inglés y español, incluyendo libros y artículos de revistas. Se presenta en el actual documento los aspectos básicos sobre la fisiopatología de la deshidratación asociada a trastornos del sodio, su clínica, diagnóstico y manejo detallado, para el uso en la práctica clínica diaria.

Dehydration is common in pediatric patients, frequently accompanied with electrolite disturbances. Dehydration associated with sodium disturbances can involve risk for pediatric patient health during the development of the disease and during its treatment. Objective: to create an algorithm of management of dehydration with sodium disturbances in pediatric patients. Methods: review of literature about dehydration with hypernatremia and hyponatremia, in english and spanish, including books and published articles. We present in this document the basic aspects of physiopathology of dehydration with sodium disturbances, clinical presentation, diagnosis and detailed management, so it can be consulted for clinical practice.

Comparison of two maintenance electrolyte solutions in children in the postoperative appendectomy period: a randomized, controlled trial / Comparação de duas soluções para manutenção hidroeletrolítica no pós-operatório de apendicectomia em crianças: um estudo controlado e randomizado

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To compare two electrolyte maintenance solutions in the postoperative period in children undergoing appendectomy, in relation to the occurrence of hyponatremia and water retention. METHODS: A randomized clinical study involving 50 pediatric patients undergoing appendectomy, who were randomized to receive 2,000 mL/m2/day of isotonic (Na 150 mEq/L or 0.9% NaCl) or hypotonic (Na 30 mEq/L NaCl or 0.18%) solution. Electrolytes, glucose, urea, and creatinine were measured at baseline, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery. Volume infused, diuresis, weight, and water balance were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had initial hyponatremia; in this group, 13 received hypotonic solution. Seventeen patients remained hyponatremic 48 h after surgery, of whom ten had received hypotonic solution. In both groups, sodium levels increased at 24 h (137.4 ± 2.2 and 137.0 ± 2.7 mmol/L), with no significant difference between them (p = 0.593). Sodium levels 48 h after surgery were 136.6 ± 2.7 and 136.2 ± 2.3 mmol/L in isotonic and hypotonic groups, respectively, with no significant difference. The infused volume and urine output did not differ between groups during the study. The water balance was higher in the period before surgery in patients who received hypotonic solution (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In the post-appendectomy period, the use of hypotonic solution (30 mEq/L, 0.18%) did not increase the risk of hyponatremia when compared to isotonic saline. The use of isotonic solution (150 mEq/L, 0.9%) did not favor hypernatremia in these patients. Children who received hypotonic solution showed higher cumulative fluid balance in the preoperative period.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Comparar duas soluções de manutenção hidroeletrolítica no período pós-operatório (PO) de crianças submetidas à apendicectomia quanto à ocorrência de hiponatremia e retenção hídrica. MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico randomizado que envolveu 50 pacientes pediátricos submetidos à apendicectomia, randomizados para receber 2.000 ml/m2/dia de solução isotônica (Na 150 mEq/L ou NaCl 0,9%) ou hipotônica (Na 30mEq/L ou NaCl 0,18%). Eletrólitos, glicose, ureia e creatinina foram mensurados no início do estudo, 24 e 48 horas após a cirurgia. Foram analisados volume infundido, diurese, peso e balanço hídrico. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram hiponatremia inicial 24 pacientes. Desses, 13 receberam solução hipotônica. Dezessete pacientes permaneceram hiponatrêmicas 48 horas após a cirurgia, 10 haviam recebido solução hipotônica. Nos dois grupos os níveis de sódio aumentaram na 24ª hora PO (137,4 ± 2,2 e 137,0 ± 2,7) e não houve diferença entre eles (p = 0,593). Níveis de sódio 48 h após a cirurgia foram 136,6 ± 2,7 e 136,2 ± 2,3 no grupo isotônico e hipotônico respectivamente sem diferença significativa. Os volumes infundidos e a diurese não diferiram entre os grupos durante o estudo. O balanço hídrico foi maior no período anterior à cirurgia no grupo de pacientes que receberam solução hipotônica (p = 0,021). CONCLUSÕES: No período pós-apendicectomia, o uso da solução hipotônica não aumentou o risco de hiponatremia quando comparado com uma solução salina isotônica. O uso da solução isotônica não favoreceu a hipernatremia nesses pacientes. Crianças que receberam solução hipotônica apresentaram maior balanço hídrico cumulativo no período pré-operatório.

Does administering albumin to postoperative gastroschisis patients improve outcome?

OBJECTIVES: Newborns who undergo surgery for gastroschisis correction may present with oliguria, anasarca, prolonged postoperative ileus, and infection. New postoperative therapeutic procedures were tested with the objective of improving postoperative outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-six newborns participated in one of two phases. Newborns in the first phase received infusions of large volumes of crystalloid solution and integral enteral formula, and newborns in the second phase received crystalloid solutions in smaller volumes, with albumin solution infusion when necessary and the late introduction of a semi-elemental diet. The studied variables were serum sodium and albumin levels, the need for albumin solution expansion, the occurrence of anasarca, the length of time on parenteral nutrition, the length of time before initiating an enteral diet and reaching a full enteral diet, orotracheal intubation time, length of hospitalization, and survival rates. RESULTS: Serum sodium levels were higher in newborns in the second phase. There was a correlation between low serum sodium levels and orotracheal intubation time; additionally, low serum albumin levels correlated with the length of time before the initiation of an oral diet and the time until a full enteral diet was reached. However, the discharge weights of newborns in the second phase were higher than in the first phase. The other studied variables, including survival rates (83.4 percent and 92.0 percent, respectively), were similar for both phases. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of an albumin solution to newborns in the early postoperative period following gastroschisis repair increased their low serum sodium levels but did not improve the final outcome. The introduction of a semi-elemental diet promoted an increase in body weight at the time of discharge.

Solução salina isotônica como fluidoterapia de manutenção intravenosa para prevenir hiponatremia adquirida em crianças hospitalizadas / Isotonic saline solution as maintenance intravenous fluid therapy to prevent acquired hyponatremia in hospitalized children

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar se o uso de soluções salinas hipotônicas como fluidoterapia de manutenção em crianças hospitalizadas aumenta o risco de hiponatremia, se a administração de fluidos isotônicos é capaz de proteger contra a hiponatremia adquirida e se as soluções isotônicas aumentam os riscos de efeitos deletérios como hipernatremia ou sobrecarga hídrica. FONTES DOS DADOS: Realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados PubMed (01/01/1969 a 13/07/2011), Embase (1989 a 2011) e Cochrane Library (1989 a 2011). Adicionalmente, referências foram incluídas dos estudos selecionados. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Crianças hospitalizadas têm riscos potenciais para hiponatremia, e o uso de soluções salinas hipotônicas é o principal fator de risco para esse agravo. As soluções salinas isotônicas têm mostrado efeito protetor para hiponatremia e, até o momento, sem efeitos deletérios significativos, como sobrecarga hídrica, hipernatremia ou flebites. CONCLUSÕES: As evidências indicam que a tradicional recomendação de Holliday & Segar quanto à fluidoterapia de manutenção para crianças doentes e hospitalizadas merece ser reconsiderada em virtude das evidências sobre os efeitos adversos dela advindos, assim como dos melhores resultados obtidos com o emprego das soluções isotônicas.

OBJECTIVES: This review aims to evaluate if the use of hypotonic saline solutions as maintenance intravenous fluid therapy in hospitalized children increases the risk of hyponatremia, if the administration of isotonic fluids is able to protect against acquired hyponatremia and if the isotonic solutions increase the risks of deleterious effects such as hypernatremia or fluid overload. SOURCES: We researched the relevant literature on the PubMed (Jan 01 1969 to Jul 13 2011), EMBASE (1989 to 2011) and Cochrane Library (1989 to 2011) databases. Furthermore, references of selected studies were included. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Hospitalized children are potentially at risk of developing hyponatremia and the use of hypotonic saline solutions is the main risk factor for this disease. Isotonic saline solutions have shown a protective effect against hyponatremia, and, so far, there have been no significant deleterious effects such as fluid overload, hypernatremia or phlebitis. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence found indicates that the traditional recommendation of Holliday and Segar to use maintenance fluid therapy for sick and hospitalized children deserves to be reconsidered due to the adverse effects found to arise from it, apart from the better results obtained by using isotonic solutions.

Evolution of critically ill patients with gastroschisis from three tertiary centers

OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect with increasing occurrence worldwide over the past 20-30 years. Our aim was to analyze the morbidity of newborns after gastroschisis closure, with emphasis on metabolic and hydroelectrolyte disturbances in patients at three tertiary university centers. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2009, the following patient data were collected retrospectively: (A) Background maternal and neonatal data: maternal age, prenatal diagnosis, type of delivery, Apgar scores, birth weight, gestational age and sex; (B) Surgical modalities: primary or staged closure; and (C) Hospital course: levels of serum sodium and levels of serum albumin in the two first postoperative days, number of ventilation days, other postoperative variables and survival. Statistical analyses were used to examine the associations between some variables. RESULTS: 163 newborns were included in the study. Primary closure of the abdominal defect was performed in 111 cases (68.1 percent). The mean serum sodium level was 127.4¡6.7 mEq/L, and the mean serum albumin level was 2.35¡0.5 g/dL. Among the correlations between variables, it was verified that hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia correlated with the number of days on the ventilator but not with the number of days on total parenteral nutrition (TPN); mortality rate correlated with infection. The final survival rate was 85.9 percent. CONCLUSION: In newborns with gastroschisis, more aggressive attention to hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia would improve the outcome.