Massive Chronic Hypernatremia Associated With Failure to Thrive in a Pediatric Patient

Hypernatremia is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition that can manifest with altered mental status, coma, seizure, and even death. Values above 190 mmol/L are seldom reported in young pediatric patients and often have poor outcomes. We present a case of severe chronic hypernatremia secondary to failure to thrive (FTT) in a toddler, which led to significant pathology including bilateral metabolic strokes. A 21-month-old female was found unresponsive and brought to the hospital. The patient’s childhood was complicated by prematurity, poor weight gain, and persistent postprandial emesis. On examination, the patient was tachycardic and obtunded. Her weight was below the first percentile. Initial laboratory results showed a sodium level of 197 mmol/L with marked dehydration. Normal saline boluses were given followed by maintenance fluids with the goal of sodium decrementation by 0.5 mmol/hour; nephrology assisted with fluid and electrolyte correction calculations. Imaging revealed metabolic strokes involving the brainstem and thalami. During hospitalization, hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia complicated the treatment course. Over the next 21 days, electrolytes normalized. She tolerated nasogastric feeding, gradually improved as she gained weight, and was discharged. Chronic hypernatremia must be fixed judiciously as rapid correction can cause significant harm. This unusual case reminds providers that florid electrolyte dyscrasias may be secondary to FTT and can lead to significant neurological sequelae. Careful fluid selection and calculations should be performed in these cases. Chronic hypernatremia should be considered in children with FTT with altered mental status, and the gradual correction of electrolytes should be performed to minimize patient harm.