Description
Hyponatraemia is defined as a serum sodium concentration
of 135 mmol/L or less. It is the most common electrolyte
abnormality, and can be associated with significant morbidity
and mortality.1 There are numerous causes and a systematic
approach to the initial investigation and management is
required. Clinical assessment should start with evaluation of
the patients degree of hydration, with the measurements of
serum and urine osmolality and urinary sodium concentration
being the key biochemical investigations. A recent article in
this journal highlighted the challenges associated with acute
symptomatic hyponatraemia; this article concentrates on the
more common scenario of the patient with asymptomatic
hyponatraemia.
