Accidental Salt Poisoning in a Hospital Nursery*

Abstract

In a suburban hospital in Sydney, salt was accidentally used instead of sugar in the preparation of feeds intended for a number of babies. Five babies were involved in the ensuing epidemic of hypernatraemia; 4 died and one, less severely affected, made a complete recovery. Three of the babies who died were of low birth weight and they presented with symptoms different from those previously described, in that they had diarrhoea, manifested no thirst, and had neither muscular twitchings nor convulsions. Overlapping of the sutures was striking in all cases. Ingestion of an excessive quantity of salt causes hypertonicity of the extracellular fluid which largely explains the disorders involved in hypernatraemia. It is suggested that salt should not be stored in an area where infants' formulae are prepared.

An evolutionary perspective on salt, hypertension, and human genetic variability.

“…Some research 5 suggests that the salt levels ingested by Americans are at least 10-20 times the minimal level compatible with human health. Given the pathological consequences associated with salt overload and toxicity, 6 the sequelae of hypertension may be thought of as normal or expected responses to an abnormal environmental constraint, dietary salt overload. From an ecological point of view, the "empty set" in this paradigm is occupied by those individuals who appear to maintain a high salt tolerance.…”