Possible strategies to reduce altitude-related excessive polycythemia.

We sought to determine the effects of three treatments on hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS): 1) descent to lower altitude, 2) nocturnal O2 supply, 3) administration of acetazolamide. Nineteen patients with CMS living at an altitude of 3,940 ± 130 m participated in the study, which consisted of a 3-wk intervention phase and a 4-wk postintervention phase. Six patients spent 3 wk at an altitude of 1,050 m (low altitude group, LAG), six received supplemental oxygen for 12 h overnight (oxygen group, OXG), and seven received 250 mg of acetazolamide daily (acetazolamide group, ACZG). Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was determined using an adapted carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method before, weekly during, and 4 wk postintervention. Hbmass decreased by 245 ± 116 g (P < 0.01) in the LAG and by 100 ± 38 g in OXG, and 99 ± 64 g in ACZG (P < 0.05, each), respectively. In LAG, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) decreased by 2.1 ± 0.8 g/dL and hematocrit by 7.4 ± 2.9% (both P < 0.01), whereas OXG and ACZG only trended toward lower values. Erythropoietin concentration ([EPO]) decreased between 81 ± 12% and 73 ± 21% in LAG at low altitude (P < 0.01) and increased by 161 ± 118% 5 days after return (P < 0.01). In OXG and ACZG, the [EPO] decrease was ∼75% and ∼50%, respectively, during the intervention (P < 0.01). Descent to low altitude (from 3,940 m to 1,050 m) is a fast-acting measure for the treatment of excessive erythrocytosis in patients with CMS, reducing Hbmass by 16% within 3 wk. Nighttime oxygen supplementation and daily acetazolamide administration are also effective, but reduce Hbmass by only 6%.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the effect of three different treatments [descending to lower altitude (from 3,900 m to 1,050 m), nocturnal oxygen supply, and administration of acetazolamide] on changes in hemoglobin mass in patients experiencing chronic mountain sickness (CMS). We report that descent to low altitude is a fast-acting measure for the treatment of excessive erythrocytosis in patients with CMS, reducing Hbmass by 16% within 3 wk. Nighttime oxygen supplementation and daily acetazolamide administration are also effective, but reduce Hbmass by only 6%. In all three treatments, the underlying mechanism is a reduction in plasma erythropoietin concentration due to higher oxygen availability.

Rehidratación oral en deshidratación neonatal severa con hipernatremia crónica / Oral rehydration in severe neonatal dehydration with chronic hypernatremia

La hipernatremia crónica se presenta en neonatos con deshidratación secundaria a baja ingesta de leche materna debida a mala técnica de lactancia, se establece progresivamente y se acompaña de gran pérdida de peso. Requiere corrección lenta para evitar complicaciones neurológicas. La rehidratación oral con soluciones de baja osmolaridad constituye una alternativa de tratamiento segura y eficaz, permite la reposición de volumen, recuperación de peso y corrección de los niveles elevados de natremia en forma gradual.

Chronic hypernatremia occurs in infants with dehydration secondary to low breast milk intake due to poor breastfeeding technique, gradually established and is accompanied by severe weight loss. It requires slow correction to avoid neurological complications. Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) of low osmolarity are a safe and effective alternative treatment. ORS of low osmolarity allow volume replacement, weight recovery and gradually correction of the elevated serum sodium levels.