Role of Hyponatremia in Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Infants and Children at Intensive Care Unit

Background: In comparison to normo-natremia, severe hyponatremia was associated with a significantly higher occurrence of shock and acute respiratory failure that required invasive mechanical ventilation. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the association and consequences of hyponatremia in neonates and children with ABM. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 65 neonates and children with ABM, admitted to the Pediatric Department at Aswan University Hospitals in the period from April 2022 to October 2023 Diagnosis made by csf analysis and culture in suspected patients and routine electrolytes work up was done to measure changes in serum sodium levels and its corrletion to general condition of the patient. Results: there was insignificant change in the mean serum Na from admission till discharge. Also, percentage of cases with normal Na level showed steady increase from admission (n=8, 12.3%), at 1st week (n=14, 21.9%), at 2nd week (n=11, 17.5%) till 3rd week (n=38, 64.4%). Further, hyponatremia was positively associated with poorer acute bacterial meningitis outcome sequences. Conclusion: hyponatremia is a common association that contributes to complications, prolongs hospital stays, and increases treatment costs. Therefore, our study demonstrated a connection between serum sodium levels at admission and during hospitalization