Infant hypernatremia: A case report

A 7-month-old infant presented to the emergency department with diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased activity. The infant was febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, lethargic, and had a prolonged capillary refill. Initial serum sodium was 197 mmol/L, Ultimately, the infant was diagnosed with central diabetes insipidus complicated by severe dehydration secondary to rotavirus infection. A brief review of infant hypernatremia and its evaluation and treatment in the emergency department follows, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.