Correcting Hypernatremia: Faster May Be Better

The optimal rate of correction of severe hypernatremia in adults is uncertain. However, expert consensus suggests serum sodium reduction of ≤0.5 mmol/l/hour might help avoid cerebral edema and seizures, but this is largely extrapolated from neonatal/pediatric data. Researchers conducted an observational study of 430 adult inpatients with severe hypernatremia (serum sodium, ≥155 mmol/l) who underwent early (i.e., within 24 hours) correction, comparing outcomes with “fast correction” (>0.5 mmol/l/hour) versus “slow correction” (≤0.5 mmol/l/hour).