Enteral water for hypernatremia and intestinal morbidity in infants less than or equal to 1000 g birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between enteral water infusion for hypernatremia and significant intestinal morbidity in infants or=150 (high sodium control), >or=150 and treated with sterile water (study group). Significant intestinal morbidity was defined as probable or proven necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation. Statistical analysis included Student's t test for continuous variables and chi(2) with Yeats correction for frequency variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to evaluate confounding variables among groups. RESULTS: The incidence of intestinal morbidity was significantly higher in the high sodium-water treated group compared to each of the other groups (13/33 (38%) for high sodium-water versus 16/100 (16%) for high sodium control and 18/188 (10%) for normal sodium control, P<0.01 chi(2)). Logistic regression analysis indicated that enteral water and hydrocortisone were risk factors for significant intestinal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral sterile water for hypernatremia appears to be associated with significant intestinal morbidity in infants