Appendix 5. Intravenous maintenance fluids for sick neonates

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    Where feasible, start IV maintenance fluids in sick neonates that need to be nil by mouth or are unable to feed sufficiently by mouth, while awaiting transfer to a neonatal care unit. 

    10% glucose IV infusion: 60 to 80 ml/kg daily for ages D1 and D2
    1/5 0.9% sodium chloride + 4/5 10% glucose IV infusion: 100 ml/kg daily for age D3

     

    Birth weight/Age

    D1

    D2

    D3

    10% glucose 10% glucose 1/5 0.9% sodium chloride
    + 4/5 10% glucose

    3500 g

    9 ml/hour

    12 ml/hour

    15 ml/hour

    3000 g - < 3500 g

    8 ml/hour

    11 ml/hour

    13 ml/hour

    2500 g - < 3000 g

    7 ml/hour

    9 ml/hour

    11 ml/hour

    2000 g - < 2500 g

    5 ml/hour

    7 ml/hour

    9 ml/hour

     

    Example: for a 2 day old neonate with a birth weight of 2750 g, give 10% glucose IV at 9 ml/hour, then from age D3, change to 1/5 0.9% sodium chloride + 4/5 10% glucose IV given at 11 ml/hour.