Hyponatremia: Common electrolyte disorders in clinical practice—How to understand and how to manage

Abstract

Management of electrolyte and acid-base disorders is the essential requirement for every physician. Basic knowledge of renal physiology as well as systematic approach is critical for the diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte disorders. Hyponatremia is among the most common electrolyte abnormalities in children, and results in serious morbidity without adequate management. Hyponatremia develops due to the disorders in water balance, resulting in accumulation of excessive electrolyte free water and impaired free water excretion. Sustained action of ADH in the presence of hyponatremia and serum hypo-osmolality is the underlying mechanism. Physician needs to find the factors which stimulate ADH secretion. Several clinical guidelines are developed for hyponatremia in adult patients. The present review addresses the clinical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia, referring to the latest European guidelines of hyponatremia in adult. We need to develop outcome oriented clinical practice guidelines targeting hyponatremia in children.