Pediatric Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy

Abstract

Fluid and electrolyte therapies in pediatric patients are reviewed. Physiologically, the proportion of body water to body weight is different in infants and children than adults. This difference makes managing the pediatric patient an intricate task. Several factors that may increase or decrease fluid needs are discussed. The main goals of deficit/replacement and maintenance therapies are reviewed. Laboratory analyses assist in evaluating the types of dehydration states. The degree of dehydration may be established by patient history and physical examination. The 5%, 10%, and 15% rule of dehydration is an adequate method for estimating proper fluid replacement. Maintenance fluid therapy is evaluated and described for certain pediatric disease states, such as pyloric stenosis, burns, and surgery. Guidelines are presented for each situation, but each patient should be treated on an individual basis.