Appendix 1. Normal daily maintenance IV fluids in children > 1 month

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    Last updated: January 2021

     

    Indications

    Basic hydration needs a Citation a. Daily needs are calculated according the following formula:
    Children 0-10 kg: 100 ml/kg per day
    Children 11-20 kg: 1000 ml + (50 ml/kg for every kg over 10 kg) per day
    Children > 20 kg: 1500 ml + (20-25 ml/kg for every kg over 20 kg) per day
    Adults: 2 litres per day
     for patients unable to drink sufficiently. After 48 hours, it is essential to provide nutrition to the patient orally or by nasogastric tube and to gradually reduce IV fluids.

     

     
    This protocol should not be used for surgical or burns patients, those with renal, cardiac disease or diabetic ketoacidosis.

    Fluid to be administered

    The fluid of choice in children is Ringer lactate-Glucose 5% (RL-G5%). Use a premixed solution if available. If not, add 50 ml of G50% to 500 ml of RL or 100 ml of G50% to 1000 ml of RL. If RL is not available, use 0.9% sodium chloride instead.

     

    For ease of prescription and administration, the daily volumes and rates in drops per minute have been rounded off.

     

    Weight

    Volume
    /24 hours

    Rate (*) Citation *. In a paediatric infusion set, the number of drops per minute is equal to the number of ml per hour.
    For example: 15 drops/min = 15 ml/hour

    (paediatric infusion set 1 ml = 60 drops)

    3 to < 4 kg

    350 ml/24 h

    15 drops/min

    4 to < 5 kg

    450 ml/24 h

    19 drops/min

    5 to < 6 kg

    550 ml/24 h

    23 drops/min

    6 to < 7 kg

    650 ml/24 h

    27 drops/min

    7 to < 8 kg

    750 ml/24 h

    31 drops/min

    8 to < 9 kg

    850 ml/24 h

    35 drops/min

    9 to < 11 kg

    950 ml/24 h

    40 drops/min

    11 to < 14 kg

    1100 ml/24 h

    46 drops/min

    14 to < 16 kg

    1200 ml/24 h

    50 drops/min

    16 to < 18 kg

    1300 ml/24 h

    54 drops/min

    18 to < 20 kg

    1400 ml/24 h

    58 drops/min

    Weight

    Volume
    /24 hours

    Rate (*) Citation *. In a paediatric infusion set, the number of drops per minute is equal to the number of ml per hour.
    For example: 15 drops/min = 15 ml/hour

    (paediatric infusion set
    1 ml = 60 drops)

    Rate
    (standard infusion set
    1 ml = 20 drops)

    20 to < 22 kg

    1500 ml/24 h

    63 drops/min

    21 drops/min

    22 to < 26 kg

    1600 ml/24 h

    67 drops/min

    22 drops/min

    26 to < 30 kg

    1700 ml/24 h

    71 drops/min

    24 drops/min

    30 to < 35 kg

    1800 ml/24 h

    75 drops/min

    25 drops/min

    ≥ 35 kg

    2000 ml/24 h

    83 drops/min

    28 drops/min

     

    Footnotes
    • (a)Daily needs are calculated according the following formula:
      Children 0-10 kg: 100 ml/kg per day
      Children 11-20 kg: 1000 ml + (50 ml/kg for every kg over 10 kg) per day
      Children > 20 kg: 1500 ml + (20-25 ml/kg for every kg over 20 kg) per day
      Adults: 2 litres per day
    • (*) In a paediatric infusion set, the number of drops per minute is equal to the number of ml per hour.
      For example: 15 drops/min = 15 ml/hour