Severe hypernatraemia in postpartum eclampsia: a case report

Abstract

Eclampsia is one of the most dangerous acute complications of pregnancy, with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypernatraemia in eclampsia is rare and when it occurs, could lead to critical and potentially life-threatening complications. Hypernatraemia is a disorder of the homeostasis of body water and sodium with a net increase in serum sodium. The most dreaded clinical manifestations of ypernatraemia whether in eclampsia or not are that of the central nervous system due to brain cell shrinkage which are more in acute and severe form of the disorder. We report a case of a 26- year-old primigravida female with severe acute hypertonic (hypervolemic) hypernatraemia secondary to postpartum eclampsia. This study highlights the clinical presentation, serial biochemical investigations and treatment modalities of the patient with a review of pertinent literature. We concluded that hypernatraemia in any form may occur in eclampsia and adequate attention need to be drawn to the fluid and electrolyte management of these patients to prevent unfavorable outcome.