Authors : Dada Oluwamuyiwa Adeniyi

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yu94afyk

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5btpw45e

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May337

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to the primary mechanical injury, secondary physiological disturbances frequently complicate the clinical course of affected patients. Among these disturbances, abnormalities in plasma sodium concentration are particularly important because of their effects on cerebral osmotic balance and neuronal function. However, data regarding the prognostic significance of sodium abnormalities among patients with traumatic brain injury in Nigeria remain limited. Objective: This study evaluated the prevalence of plasma sodium abnormalities and their relationship with injury severity, mortality, and functional outcome among adult patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods: This prospective observational study included 70 adult patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury managed at a tertiary hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Plasma sodium levels were measured at admission, 12 hours, 24 hours, and daily for the first ten days of hospitalization. Sodium abnormalities were defined as hyponatremia (<135 mmol/L) and hypernatremia (>145 mmol/L). Clinical outcome was assessed at three months using the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). Associations between sodium abnormalities and clinical outcomes were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Results: The study population comprised 54 males and 16 females (male-to-female ratio of 3.4:1). Plasma sodium abnormalities occurred in 24 patients (34.3%). Hypernatremia was observed in 15 patients (21.4%), while 9 patients (12.9%) developed hyponatremia. Sodium abnormalities were significantly associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Among patients who died, 13 (72.2%) had abnormal sodium levels compared with 5 (27.8%) who had normal sodium levels (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that plasma sodium abnormalities independently predicted mortality (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6–14.3, p = 0.005). Most sodium abnormalities were detected within the first 24 hours after admission. Conclusion: Plasma sodium abnormalities are common among patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury and are strongly associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and increased mortality. Early detection and appropriate correction of dysnatremia may represent an important strategy for improving neurological outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Keywords : Traumatic Brain Injury, Dysnatremia, Hypernatremia, Hyponatremia, Mortality, Neurological Outcome.

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