Berwert Lorenzo, Vogt Bruno, Burnier Michel
Service de néphrologie et consultation d'hypertension, Département de médecine interne, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.
Rev Med Suisse. 2010 Mar 3;6(238):444-7.
Hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium concentration above the upper laboratory reference range, usually > 145 mmol/l. It is a common electrolyte disorder in the very young and the very old patient. Hospitalization itself is a risk factor for developing hypernatremia. Free water deficit is the main cause of this condition. It induces hyperosmolality and an intracellular dehydration. Clinical manifestations are mostly neurological but non-specific. A blood sample analysis is needed to establish the diagnosis. Hypernatremia is associated with a high mortality and morbidity. Treatment consists of correcting the underlying cause and the volume deficit. A brief review of this condition is proposed.
