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Hypertonic or hypernatremic dehydration, which is uncommon in pediatric patients beyond infancy, has a distinct pathophysiology that differentiates the clinical presentation and management from other forms of dehydration. Severe hypernatremia may precipitate central nervous system injury, seizures, intracerebral bleeding, retardation, and even death. Causes of hypernatremia include inadequate water intake, salt overload, extrarenal water loss, defective osmoregulation, and water loss... |