Objective: To find out the incidence, spectrum, and topographical distribution of brain lesions in neonatal hypernatremic dehydration.
Methods: We prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive neonates admitted with hypernatremic dehydration. 93 neonates underwent magnetic resonance imaging brain to identify the nature and site of neurological injury.
Results: Neuroradiological lesions were found in 42 (45.2%) babies. Edema was the most common finding in 37 (39.8%), followed by hemorrhage in 13 (13.9%) and thrombosis in 6 (6.4%). Edema predominantly affected juxtacortical/subcortical white matter followed by periventricular white matter and centrum semiovale, posterior part of internal capsule, and basal ganglia/thalamus. Occipital horns of lateral ventricle were the main sites of hemorrhage. Thrombotic lesions predominantly involved sagittal, straight and transverse sinuses. Brain lesions were observed only in severe hypernatremia group.
Conclusions: In neonatal hypernatremic dehydration, edema was the most common neurological lesion, followed by hemorrhage and thrombosis. Subcortical/juxtacortical white matter was the most commonly affected site.