• Sean P Rothwell, David J Rosengren, Amanda M Rojek, Julian M Williams, William G Lukin, and Jaimi Greenslade.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia. sean_rothwell@health.qld.gov.au
• Emerg Med Australas. 2011 Dec 1;23(6):712-6.

ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of exercise-associated hyponatraemia in hikers/trekkers along the Kokoda Trail.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 191 trekkers on the Kokoda Trail, Papua New Guinea. Blood was taken and analysed immediately using point-of-care technology 2 days walk from each end of the Trail.ResultsThe main outcome measure was hyponatraemia defined as serum sodium level less than 135 mmol/L. Three participants (1.6%, 95% CI 0.5-4.5%) were found to have mild hyponatraemia. The hyponatraemic group had a median estimated fluid intake on the day of testing that was almost double that of the normal sodium group (6 L vs 3.3 L).ConclusionExercise-associated hyponatraemia occurs in trekkers on the Kokoda Trail. Strategies for prevention of exercise-associated hyponatraemia should be delivered to trekkers via the trekking companies, chiefly focussing on only drinking in response to thirst.© 2011 The Authors. EMA © 2011 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

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