Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causing dehydration with or without dysnatremias is a common childhood health challenge. While it is accepted that oral rehydration therapy is preferred, clinical factors or parent and healthcare provider preferences may lead to intravenous rehydration (IVR). Isotonic solutions are increasingly recommended in most scenarios requiring IVR. Nevertheless, children with AGE, having ongoing losses of water and electrolytes, represent a unique population. To evaluate the association between acquired dysnatremias and IVR in children with AGE. A systematic search of MEDLINE database was conducted through September 14, 2016. Observational studies and clinical trials conducted in high-income countries were included. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence for each outcome. 603 papers were identified of which 6 were included (3 randomized controlled trials and 3 observational studies). Pooling of patient data was not possible due to significantly different interventions or exposures. Single studies results demonstrated that within 24 h, administration of isotonic saline was not associated with a significant decline in serum sodium while hypotonic solutions (0.2-0.45% saline) were associated, in one study, with mean serum sodium declines from 1.3 mEq/L (139.2, SD 2.9-137.9, SD 2.5) in 133 young infants (aged 1-28 months), to 5.7 (SD 3.1) mEq/L in a subgroup of 18 older children (age mean 5.8, SD 2.7 years). Both isotonic and hypotonic saline were shown to be associated with improvement of baseline hyponatremia in different studies. Baseline hypernatremia was corrected within 4-24 h in 81/83 (99.6%) children using hypotonic saline IVR. There is a paucity of publications assessing the risk for acquired dysnatremias associated with IVR in children with AGE. Current high-quality evidence suggests that, short-term use of isotonic solutions is safe and effective in most children with AGE; hypotonic solutions may also be appropriate in some subpopulations, however, the quality of available evidence is low to very low. Further research investigating outcomes associated with IVR use beyond 24 h focusing on specific age groups is required.
Highlights
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causing dehydration with or without dysnatremias is a common childhood health challenge
We focused on children in high-income countries given the significant differences in patients, pathogens, and management practices that exist, driven by economic factors
This systematic review confirms the existence of a risk for iatrogenic hyponatremia associated with intravenous rehydration (IVR) in children with AGE and dehydration
Summary
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causing dehydration with or without dysnatremias is a common childhood health challenge. Intravenous rehydration (IVR) continues to be frequently employed in settings where ORT is clinically inappropriate (i.e., obtunded child, intractable vomiting, and severe dehydration), and at times when it may not be necessary but it is deemed the preferable therapy by families or physicians (3, 4). Both oral and IVR can cause or exacerbate electrolyte disturbances related to sodium homeostasis. Hospitalized children have a greater risk of developing hyponatremia due to the presence of excessive antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that limits the body’s ability to excrete water This potential may be exacerbated when hypotonic saline solutions are administered intravenously to maintain hydration (9). The topic is of particular importance in children hospitalized with dehydration secondary to AGE, as such children may present with dysnatremias and frequently have substantial ongoing loses of water and electrolytes (14)
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