Hi there: This is quite complex and unusual, at least for me. I have done a google search for low sodium or hyponatremia AND neonates and came up with quite a list of info sources. Low sodium for a neonate can have severe consequences as it can lead to cerebral oedema and seizures. It seems to be associated with prematurity and the various medications used to treat asphyxia, apnea etc.. It can be reversed and the therapy is quite involved, I can't imagine that it could be done anywhere but in a NICU/SCBU as the fluid balance etc involved is delicate to say the least. Thus the mum would have to go to the baby and if she was also sick and in this case recovering from a c/s, then perhaps separation was unavoidable though regretable. I have copied a definition which is again technical: Hyponatremia Serum sodium under 120 mEq/L may produce seizures. Hyponatremia occurs in neonates with inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and those receiving hypo-osmolar formula. Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome should be suspected in a neonate with decreased urinary output and high urinary osmolarity.
I haven't found anything yet regarding treating or detecting it antenatally. You mentioned the mother having low sodium? Do you know why and was this therapeutically low? Did she have hyperemesis (often causes low potassium and corresponding high sodium), cyctic fibrosis (significant electrolyte imbalance), or was she taking any medications for hypertension? You said he was showing signs of distress leading to the c/s and needed resuscitation at birth (so apparently he was distressed) perhaps he was given medications to address the asphyxia which caused the low sodium levels? I would assume cord bloods were taken and if the baby was acidotic then its possible this could have led to an electrolyte imbalance but I am only guessing. I am probably hearing galloping and looking for zebras, anyone else got any ideas? marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "cath wright" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 10:14 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] sodium > posted on behalf of di diddle (choices for childbirth) > > dear all, > > i am after some info on sodium levels in newborns. a friend recently had a > baby by CS. apparently he got 'stuck' in 2nd stge then possibly showed signs > of distress. when he was born he was resussitated & had very low sodium > levels due to the mothers low levels & the doctors were concerned about > possible brain damage. they didn't know how long he hadn't been breathing > for. he was put in a humidy crib & the mother didn't see him for 24 hours. > > i am wanting to know.... > > would they have not detected that he was not recieving oxygen well before > the birth by observing his heart rate? > > how common is it for a mother to pass on these low sodium levels to their > babys & can it be detected during pregnancy? > > how would they have known that his sodium levels were so dangerously low at > birth? > > what affect does low sodium levels have on a newborn? > > was it necessary to separate him for so long from his mother, if he needed > sodium could the mother have had him while this was given? > > thankyou > di diddle > choices for childbirth > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. >
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