Introduction: Hypernatraemic dehydration in newborns (HDNB) is a common condition, particularly in developing countries. The clinical manifestations, which are non-specific and often misleading, depend on the severity and speed of onset. Its severity is linked to neurological damage, which can be life-threatening or lead to serious sequelae. The aim of our study was to examine the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and evolutionary profile of HDNB in the neonatal unit of the Peace Hospital in Ziguinchor.

Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2024. All newborns and infants under three months of age hospitalised during the study period with clinical signs of dehydration and hypernatraemia greater than or equal to 150 mmol were included. Data were entered and analysed using Sphinx software and Microsoft Office Excel 2020.

Results: We found a hospital prevalence of 4.98%. The average age of newborns at admission was 12 days, with extremes of 2 and 70 days. The sex ratio was 0.84. The average age of the mothers was 26 years, ranging from 17 to 41 years, and 35.59% of families had a low socioeconomic status. Among the mothers, 71.19% had received four antenatal consultations (ANC). The majority of births were vaginal, accounting for 96.61%. The average birth weight was 2760 g, ranging from 1600 to 5000 g; 69.49% of patients were exclusively breastfed (EBF).

The main reasons for hospitalisation were fever (74.57%), dehydration (61%), refusal to feed (55.93%), jaundice (20.34%) and weight loss (13.56%). Severe dehydration was found in 77.96% of cases, followed by moderate dehydration in 11.86%. Hypernatraemia between 150 and 169 mmol/l was found in 52.58% of cases, between 170 and 200 mmol/l in 42.41% and above 200 mmol/l in 5.08% of cases. All patients received parenteral rehydration with glucose serum (SG5%) at 200 ml/kg/24h and electrolytes (Na+, K+, calcium). Nutritional management based on formula milk was used in 42.37% of cases, AME in 37.28% of cases and mixed feeding in 20.33% of cases. The main complications found were functional renal failure (65.52% of cases), hypovolemic shock (22.41% of cases) and septic shock (6.90% of cases). The mortality rate was 15.25%, with 66.66% of deaths occurring between midnight and 8 a.m. Septic shock and hypovolemic shock were clinical criteria significantly associated with death, with identical P-values of 0.001. 

Conclusion: Dehydration in newborns is a paediatric emergency that can be life-threatening and functionally compromising due to its complications, especially neurological ones.