Water deficit in Hypernatremia

Quantity of water required to correct deficit in Hypernatremia
Enter:
Plasma Na+ level	meq/L
Weight	Kg
Sex

Water deficit = (plasma sodium - 140)*Total body water/140
Estimated free-water deficit	L
The safest route of administration of water is by mouth or via nasogastric tube Alternatively, 5% dextrose in water or half isotonic saline can be given intravenously
Water deficit should be corrected slowly over atleast 48-72h
While correcting water deficit the plasma sodium concentration should be lowered by 0.5 meq/L per h and by no more than 12meq/L over the first 24 h
Rapid correction of hypernatremia can cause a sudden decrease in osmolality and rapid shift of water into cells that have undergone osmotic adaptation. This results in swollen brain cells and increase the risk of seizures or permanent neurologic damage

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