Water and salt retention in low birth weight infants. Physiopathogenic discussion
Hornych, H.; Amiel-Tison, C.
Archives Francaises de Pediatrie 34(3): 206-218
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9764 PMID: 889394 Document Number: 121007
Thirty-nine cases of salt and water retention have been observed in low birth weight infants, preterm or small for dates, during the past five years. The onset on the oedema was delayed and appeared on average at the age considered to be term, that is at about 40 weeks corrected gestational age. The iatrogenic nature of the oedema is shown by the evidence in the population at risk of preterm and small for dates infants: It is frequent when the milk is non-modified cow's milk which contains 21-25 mEq/1 of sodium, less common with modified cow's milk containing 11 mEq/sodium1 and and never with breast milk (7 mEq/1). In the absence of treatment neurological signs appeared, as showed by intracranial hypertension. One injection only of frusemide was often sufficient to interrupt the vicious circle.