Hypernatremia and Seizures

Excess salt can cause infants to have seizures.

Hypernatremia is a condition in which an infant has too much salt in her body. Children with hypernatremia become dehydrated as well as have seizures. Doctors differ on the exact method of treatment, according to "Pediatric Neurology." The patient may need treatment to stop seizures as well as for the underlying cause of hypernatremia.

Causes of Seizures

Both hypernatremia itself and its treatment can cause seizures. Excess salt triggers seizures and should be treated by reducing salt levels, according to "Pediatric Neurology." A 1985 study published in "Exploratory Neurology" suggested that treating dehydration in hypernatremic infants may also trigger seizures. Rabbits who were made hypernatremic and then re-hydrated intravenously experienced a significantly high incidence of seizures.

Seizures and Treatment of Hypernatremia

Seizures themselves must be stopped as part of treating hypernatremia. "Pediatric Neurology" says that some infants may require anti-epileptic drugs in addition to treatment aimed to lower the level of salt in the child's blood.

Hyponatremia As Risk of Treatment

As with any treatment aimed at restoring the balance of body chemicals, treatment for excess salt can lead to too little salt. This condition, known as hyponatremia, also triggers seizures in children. Treatment of these seizures sometimes causes respiratory distress and requires hospitalization, according to CDC case studies.

Prevention of Hypernatremia

Prevention of hypernatremia is the best way to avoid seizures and other complications. An article in the "Online Medical Library" says to monitor infants carefully for symptoms of dehydration, especially if they have a fever or diarrhea. In addition, always prepare infant formula exactly as directed.

Seriousness of Seizures

Infant seizures due to epilepsy are not dangerous to your child, according to the British Columbia Epilepsy Society. However, an article posted on Emedicine.com says that seizures due to hypernatremia can cause brain damage. If your child has a seizure, especially if it is accompanied by diarrhea, discomfort, or doughy skin, contact his doctor immediately.

References

• Pediatric Neurology: Causes and Treatment of Seizures
• PubMed: Incidence of Seizures That Follow Rehydration of Hypernatremic Rabbits With Intravenous Glucose or Fructose Solutions
• Merck Online Medical Library: Neonatal Hypernatremia
• Center for Disease Control: Hyponatremic Seizures Among Infants
• Emedicine.com: Hypernatremia