Need Help Calculating Maintenance Fluids for Pediatric Patients?

Hey everyone, I'm a pediatric nurse and I'm having a bit of trouble calculating maintenance fluids for my young patients. I know the basic formula is 4:2:1 for kids over 10 kg (4 mL/kg/hr for the first 10 kg, 2 mL/kg/hr for the next 10 kg, and 1 mL/kg/hr for every kg after that), but I'm not sure how to adjust for infants and toddlers. I'd love to hear your tips and tricks for calculating maintenance fluids in pediatrics! #pediatrics #childhealthcare #infantcare

Top Replies

Hi @PedsRN! Great question. For infants and toddlers, you can use the Holliday-Segar method, which takes into account their weight and age. The formula is 100 mL/kg/day for the first 10 kg, 50 mL/kg/day for the next 10 kg, and 20 mL/kg/day for every kg after that. Then, divide that amount by 24 hours to get the hourly rate. For example, a 15 kg toddler would need (100+50) x 1.5 = 225 mL/day, or about 9.4 mL/hr. #pediatrics #childhealthcare #infantcare

Another thing to keep in mind is that you might need to adjust the maintenance fluid rate based on the patient's clinical condition and electrolyte levels. For example, if the patient is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, they might need more fluids to replace the lost electrolytes. And if the patient has kidney or heart problems, you might need to be more cautious with the fluid intake. #pediatrics #medicalinformation #pediatricresearch

I hope this helps, @PedsRN! Remember, calculating maintenance fluids is just one part of pediatric care. It's important to also consider the patient's overall health status, nutritional needs, and any medications they might be taking. And always consult with the healthcare team and follow hospital policies and guidelines. #pediatrics #childhealthcare #infantcare #medicalinformation #pediatricresearch