Sodium concentration in rehydration fluids for children with ketoacidotic diabetes: effect on serum sodium concentration.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze in a retrospective cohort if sodium concentration in the rehydration fluids influence natremia in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis admitted in a tertiary care referral center from 2000 to 2005. Rehydration was programmed for 48 hours with a 2-bag system. Initial rehydration was performed with isotonic fluids and thereafter with variable tonicity. Analysis of the influence of the different factors on natremia was performed with a multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS: Forty-two episodes of DKA were reviewed. Increased sodium content in rehydration fluids behaved as an independent variable, causing a positive tendency of natremia (P < .008).

CONCLUSIONS: Sodium concentration in the rehydration fluids behaves as an independent factor that influences positively the trend of the serum concentration of sodium during DKA rehydration. We propose the use of isotonic solutions for rehydration in diabetic ketoacidosis.