Pediatric fluid therapy

Abstract

Many conditions of pediatric patients require fluid therapy. Depending on the veterinarian's assessment of hydration and perfusion status, fluids can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravenously, or by the intraosseous route. Pediatric patients are prone to hypothermia, hypovolemia, hypoglycemia, and hypokalemia, which must be addressed during fluid therapy in pediatric patients. Typical parameters used to assess hydration status in adult animals do not always apply to pediatric patients. Veterinarians should be aware of differences between pediatric patients and adult animals in terms of physical assessment, common presentations, and fluid requirements for resuscitation and maintenance needs.

Fig. 1

Oral feeding through a stomach tube can be an effective way of maintaining nutrition and fluid requirements in neonates that are unable to nurse.

Fig. 2

A cephalic catheter can be placed in the jugular vein to provide an effective means for delivering intravenous fluids to critically ill neonates.

Fig. 3

Resuscitation of critically ill neonates can be accomplished by placing a spinal needle in the shaft of the femur and administering warmed fluids by the intraosseous route.