Fluid and Electrolytes in Children

Question 1

Fluid Regulation Differences in

Children

Answer 1

►Larger proportional weight of brain and skin

►Larger extracellular fluid percentage

Question 2

Kidneys cannot fully …..

What is needed?

Answer 2

conserve fluid and electrolytes
until child is at least 2 years old
• Greater daily fluid need
• Lose fluids more rapidly
• Newborn: 4 to 5X greater daily water need/kg

Question 3

What factors put infants and children at risk for

dehydration?

Answer 3

The newborn and infant have a high percentage of body weight comprised of water, especially extracellular fluid, which is lost from the body easily. (head and skin take up a lot of that weight.) Note the small stomach size which limits ability to rehydrate quickly.

Question 4

Urine output Infants, children, adolescents

Answer 4

Infants: 2ml/kg/hr.
Children: 0.5 – 1 ml/kg/hr.
Adolescents and adults: 40-80 ml/hr

Question 5

Fluid Loss

Answer 5

►#1 Skin, largest organ of body, increased BSA
►Fever (lose 7ml/kg/24 hr. for every 1°temp)
►Increased BMR
►Tears
►Feces
►Urine
►Increased respiratory rate
►Small stomach

Question 6

Third spacing

Answer 6

When fluid becomes extracellular and goes places it doesn’t normally go like the abdomen, pericardial sac (can cause edema and ascites).