Sodium supplementation strategies in preterm infants: effects on growth, electrolyte balance, and exploratory evidence on neurodevelopment - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yasmin Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Gad; Abeer Mohamed Hekal; Mohmmed Mostafa Ali Kashef; Muhamed Rafi; Fida Rafi; Mohamed Hafez Habeeb; Dina Mohamed Hafez

doi:10.1186/s40795-026-01464-4

PubMed · 42698116

Sodium supplementation strategies in preterm infants: effects on growth, electrolyte balance, and exploratory evidence on neurodevelopment - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yasmin Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Gad·Abeer Mohamed Hekal·Mohmmed Mostafa Ali Kashef·Muhamed Rafi·Fida Rafi·Mohamed Hafez Habeeb·Dina Mohamed Hafez

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Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of sodium supplementation on growth, electrolyte balance, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies were conducted using data from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies involving infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. Twelve studies comprising more than 2,800 participants were analysed using random-effects models. Sodium supplementation was associated with improved weight gain and a significant reduction in the risk of hyponatremia (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.96). Pooled incidence estimates indicated hypernatremia (32%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (29%) among supplemented cohorts; however, substantial heterogeneity was observed, and comparative risk estimates were limited. Only one study reported long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up, suggesting potential benefit; however, the available evidence remains limited and hypothesis-generating.These findings suggest that sodium supplementation may support growth and is associated with a lower risk of hyponatremia in preterm infants; however, hypernatremia and other morbidity estimates reported here are largely descriptive frequencies within supplemented cohorts rather than comparative treatment effects, and careful, individualized therapy with close monitoring is needed to minimize potential risks.

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Growth outcomes Hypernatremia Hyponatremia Neurodevelopmental outcomes Preterm infants Sodium supplementation Journal Article Systematic Review

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Yasmin Ahmed Hassan Mohamed Gad, Abeer Mohamed Hekal, Mohmmed Mostafa Ali Kashef, Muhamed Rafi, Fida Rafi, Mohamed Hafez Habeeb, Dina Mohamed Hafez. 2026-09-04. Sodium supplementation strategies in preterm infants: effects on growth, electrolyte balance, and exploratory evidence on neurodevelopment - a systematic review and meta-analysis.. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-026-01464-4

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