How is a patient with a feeding tube and hypernatremia (elevated sodium level of 152) treated for dehydration?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 12, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Para un paciente con sonda de alimentación que tiene hipernatremia (nivel de sodio de 152 mEq/L) y deshidratación, el tratamiento debe centrarse en corregir tanto el desequilibrio de sodio como el déficit de líquidos. Debido a que la hipernatremia indica una deficiencia de agua, el tratamiento debe incluir la administración de agua con dextrosa (por ejemplo, 5% de dextrosa) 1. Es importante evitar soluciones que contengan sal, especialmente soluciones de NaCl 0,9%, debido a su gran carga osmótica renal 1. La tasa inicial de administración de líquidos debe calcularse según la demanda fisiológica, y se puede utilizar la tasa de mantenimiento rutinaria como punto de partida (en niños: primeros 10 kg, 100 ml/kg/24 h; 10-20 kg, 50 ml/kg/24 h; resto, 20 ml/kg/24 h; en adultos, 25-30 ml/kg/24 h) 1. La corrección del sodio debe ser gradual, con un objetivo de disminuir el sodio en no más de 8-10 mEq/L por 24 horas para prevenir la edema cerebral. Es fundamental monitorizar los niveles de sodio cada 4-6 horas inicialmente, junto con la ingesta y salida de líquidos y los signos clínicos del estado de hidratación. El tratamiento también debe abordar la causa subyacente de la hipernatremia, que puede incluir ajustar medicamentos que causen pérdida de líquidos, tratar infecciones subyacentes o modificar el régimen de alimentación. Algunos estudios sugieren que la hipernatremia en pacientes con sonda de alimentación a menudo ocurre debido a una provisión inadecuada de agua libre, pérdidas excesivas de líquidos o fórmulas de alimentación demasiado concentradas 1. Sin embargo, en este caso, la recomendación más reciente y de mayor calidad sugiere el uso de agua con dextrosa para corregir la hipernatremia y la deshidratación 1. Algunas consideraciones importantes incluyen:

  • Evitar soluciones que contengan sal debido a su gran carga osmótica renal
  • Utilizar la tasa de mantenimiento rutinaria como punto de partida para la administración de líquidos
  • Corregir el sodio de manera gradual para prevenir la edema cerebral
  • Monitorizar los niveles de sodio y el estado de hidratación frecuentemente
  • Abordar la causa subyacente de la hipernatremia.

From the Research

Treatment of Hypernatremia

  • Hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium level above 145 mmol/L, and severe hypernatremia is defined as serum sodium levels above 152 mEq/L, with a mortality rate ≥60% 2.
  • The treatment of hypernatremia requires a comprehension of body fluid compartments, as well as concepts of the preservation of normal body water balance 3.
  • In patients with severe hypernatremia, hemodialysis can be used to correct hypernatremia, especially when there is an inadequate response to fluid repletion 2.

Correction Rate

  • The correction rate of hypernatremia should be carefully monitored to avoid neurological sequelae 2.
  • A drastic drop in sodium concentration can occur during hemodialysis, but this does not necessarily lead to neurological sequelae 2.

Fluid Management

  • Fluid management is crucial in the treatment of hypernatremia, and the use of low renal solute feed can be effective in reducing the risk of water intoxication and hyponatremia 4.
  • The use of hydrochlorothiazide with low renal solute feed can be a safe and effective treatment option in neonatal central diabetes insipidus 4.

Desmopressin

  • Desmopressin is not typically used to treat hypernatremia, but it can be used to treat hyponatremia, especially in patients with central diabetes insipidus 5, 6, 4.
  • The use of desmopressin requires careful monitoring of serum sodium levels to avoid overcorrection and neurological sequelae 5, 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Hypernatremia: correction rate and hemodialysis.

Case reports in medicine, 2014

Research

Diagnosis and treatment of hypernatremia.

Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 2016

Research

Hypertonic saline and desmopressin: a simple strategy for safe correction of severe hyponatremia.

American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, 2013

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.