Final answer:
Hypernatremia in infants can present with temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, and difficulty feeding. Advanced symptoms include seizures, bulging fontanel, and hemiparesis. It is often linked to water loss from the blood or hormonal imbalances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs and Symptoms of Hypernatremia in Infants
Hypernatremia is characterized by an abnormal increase in blood sodium levels. In infants, this condition can be particularly dangerous and can manifest through various signs and symptoms. Early onset symptoms can include temperature instability, apnea (cessation of breathing), bradycardia (slow heart rate), hypotension (low blood pressure), difficulty feeding, irritability, and limpness. Infants may also exhibit lethargy, making them difficult to awake when sleeping.
As the condition progresses, symptoms may evolve into more severe forms such as seizures, bulging fontanel (soft spot on the head), stiff neck, hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), and opisthotonos (an abnormal posture with arched back and head thrown backward). These late-onset symptoms can often be fatal if not promptly treated.
It is important to note that hypernatremia can result from water loss from the blood, leading to the hemoconcentration of all blood constituents, or from hormonal imbalances involving ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and aldosterone.