KC Wong, DKK Ng

Abstract

A 7-month-old infant developed repeated hyponatraemic convulsions secondary to water intoxication after being fed with excessive free water. She was treated with 3%NaCl infusion at a rate of 2.5 mmol/kg/hr together with anticonvulsant, which successfully controlled the convulsion and corrected the hyponatraemia. The child recovered with no evidence of neurological sequelae. We reported the clinical progress and management of this patient with emphasis on the safety of rapid sodium replacement in acute hyponatraemia, and the importance of public education on avoiding unnecessary supplementation with water or diluted formula in small infants.