How much salt is sufficient?

Amar Al Shibli*

Received: September 27, 2018;   Published: October 03, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.09.001817

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Abstract

Most of the guidelines and textbooks are still recommending hypotonic maintenance fluids for pediatric patients based on Holliday-Segar method. Maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids are designed to maintain homeostasis. There is risk of iatrogenic hyponatremia with hypotonic intravenous (IV) maintenance in otherwise normal children. Administration of hypotonic IV fluids is a major risk factor for developing hyponatremia in hospitalized euvolemic children who are dependent upon parenteral fluid therapy. The risk will increase significantly in those with the risk of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH). The estimated incidence of clinically significant, symptomatic cases of hospital acquired acute hyponatremia is relatively low (0.07%). Severe hyponatremia (< 120 mmol/l) has been reported to be associated with increase in the cost of stay, morbidity and mortality

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