This guideline covers the clinical and biochemical diagnosis of hypernatraemia in children.
It is focussed on the diagnosis of poisoning by agents including salt, the differential diagnoses and the possible causes of poisoning. It is intended for paediatricians and other medical practitioners who may be involved in the investigation and management of children presenting to hospital with hypernatraemia (e.g. A&E consultants). It is also intended to be relevant to tertiary specialists and others providing information, e.g. chemical pathologists.

The guideline does not cover the investigation of preterm neonates developing hypernatraemia in hospital. However, the guideline should be a useful source of reference for the published reports of accidental salt poisoning in hospital. The scope also excludes the diagnostic features of pathological findings. The guideline does not cover the child protection procedures when non-accidental injury is suspected. The guideline does not include the specific investigations required to diagnose all the other conditions that may present with hypernatraemia. The guideline does not cover the medical management of hypernatraemia.

Copies of the full guideline and Executive Summary can be found below:

  Hypernatraemia - Full Guideline(pdf 898 KB) 

  Hypernatraemia - Executive Summary (pdf 261 KB)

 Hypernatraemia - Summary (pdf 619 KB)

To receive a hard copy of the guideline, please contact Clinical Standards.