Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomised controlled trial of intravenous maintenance fluids.
Traditional paediatric intravenous maintenance fluids are prescribed using hypotonic fluids and the weight-based 4:2:1 formula for administration rate. However, this may cause hyponatraemia in sick and post-operative children. We studied the effect of two types of intravenous maintenance fluid and two administration rates on plasma sodium concentration in intensive care patients. ⋯ Sick and post-operative children given dextrose saline at traditional maintenance rates are at risk of hyponatraemia.