Oral Water Intoxication FREE

AUDREY J. NAYLOR, MD, DRPH; RUTH A. WESTER, RN, CPNP; NANCY G. POWERS, MD; WENDELIN M. SLUSSER, MS, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1992;146(8):893. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1992.02160200015002.

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ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT | REFERENCES

Sir.—Keating et al¹ state that the best methods to prevent oral water intoxication are (1) to increase provisions of formula by the special supplemental food program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and (2) to better educate mothers as to the hazards of excessive water ingestion. This conclusion was also supported by one of the editorial board members of AJDC.² Both Keating et al and Finberg failed to recognize that promotion of breast-feeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life is the best way to prevent water intoxication.

The explanations presented by the care givers for giving excessive amounts of water to infants were as follows: running out of formula, diarrhea, fussiness, "infection," a hot day, thirsty infants, and miscommunication among care givers. Such circumstances would not require water administration if breast-feeding was practiced exclusively in the first 6 months of life. Additionally, the mean age

REFERENCES

ABSTRACT | REFERENCES

Keating JP, Schears GJ, Dodge PR. Oral water intoxication in infants: an American epidemic . AJDC . 1991;;145:985-990.

Finberg L. Water intoxication: a prevalent problem in the inner city . AJDC . 1991;;145:981-982.

Lawrence RA. Normal growth, failure to thrive, and obesity in the breastfed infant . In: Bircher S, Gunter A. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession . St Louis, Mo: Mosby—Year Book; 1989;:285-306.

Sachdev HPS, Krishna J, Puri RK, Satyanarayana L, Kumar S. Water supplementation in exclusively breastfed infants during summer in the tropics . Lancet . 1991;;337:929-933.

Lawrence RA. Psychologic bonding . In: Bircher S, Gunter A. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession . St Louis, Mo: Mosby—Year Book; 1989;:148-162.

National Academy of Sciences. Nutrition During Lactation: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations . Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1991;.

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal