Severe hyponatraemia in hospital inpatients

Kennedy, P. G. E., Mitchell, D. M. and Hoffbrand, B. I. (1978) Severe hyponatraemia in hospital inpatients. British Medical Journal, 2(6147), pp. 1251-1253. (doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6147.1251)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.6147.1251

Abstract

A prospective study of severe hyponatraemia in adult hospital inpatients showed that 44 patients had plasma sodium concentrations below 125 mmol(mEq)/1. Eighteen cases (41%) were iatrogenic, caused by diuretic treatment or postoperative administration of intravenous 5% dextrose, or both. Chest infection, a seldom-recognised and ill-understood cause of hyponatraemia, proved more common than carcinoma of the bronchus. Thirty-one patients had symptoms attributable to the hyponatraemia, but these were severe in only five cases. Analysis of blood and urine was of no value in distinguishing the different diagnostic groups in an emergency.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kennedy, Professor Peter
Authors: Kennedy, P. G. E., Mitchell, D. M., and Hoffbrand, B. I.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:British Medical Journal
Journal Abbr.:BMJ
Publisher:BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:0959-535X
ISSN (Online):1756-1833
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 1978 BMJ Publishing Group
First Published:First published in British Medical Journal 2(6147):1251-1253
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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