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Pediatric Fluid Replacement: Holliday-Segar, Types of Dehydration

Writer's picture: MaytaMayta

Updated: Aug 19, 2024

Understanding the Basics

Fluid Needs in Children:

  • Daily Maintenance: Children require fluids to cover insensible losses (breathing, sweat) and urine output.

  • Replacement of Deficits: Fluids need to replace losses from illnesses (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting) or decreased intake.

Types of Dehydration:

  1. Isonatremic (Isotonic) Dehydration: Most common; sodium levels are normal.

  2. Hyponatremic (Hypotonic) Dehydration: Sodium levels are low; more serious due to the risk of cerebral edema.

  3. Hypernatremic (Hypertonic) Dehydration: Sodium levels are high; can be very serious due to the risk of neurological complications.

Fluid Choices:

  • Isonatremic Dehydration: Usually treated with isotonic fluids like normal saline or Ringer's lactate.

  • Hyponatremic Dehydration: May need more isotonic fluids initially, then switch to a solution with higher sodium. Careful correction is essential.

  • Hypernatremic Dehydration: Usually require hypotonic fluids like 0.45% saline or 5% dextrose. Slow correction is crucial.

 

Stepwise Fluid Limits

Daily Fluid Needs Based on Age:

Term Infants:

  • Day 1: 65 cc/kg/day

  • Day 2: 65 cc/kg/day

  • Day 3: 80 cc/kg/day

  • Day 4: 100 cc/kg/day

  • Day 5+: 120 cc/kg/day, increasing to 150 cc/kg/day

Preterm Infants:

  • Day 1: 80 cc/kg/day

  • Day 2: 80 cc/kg/day

  • Day 3: 100 cc/kg/day

  • Day 4: 120 cc/kg/day

  • Day 5+: 150 cc/kg/day, and potentially higher

Holliday-Segar Method for Maintenance Fluids

Formula:

  • First 10 kg body weight: 100 ml/kg/day

  • Second 10 kg body weight: 50 ml/kg/day

  • Each kg over 20 kg: 20 ml/kg/day

Example Calculation: A 12 kg child:

  • First 10 kg: 1000 ml

  • Remaining 2 kg: 100 ml

  • Total maintenance fluids: 1100 ml/day

Calculating Fluid Deficit

Formula: Fluid Deficit (ml) = % Dehydration x Body Weight (kg) x 10

Example: A 10 kg child with 10% dehydration: 10% x 10 kg x 10 = 1000 ml

Ongoing Losses

  • Diarrhea: 10 ml/kg for each episode

  • Vomiting: 5 ml/kg for each episode

Putting it Together: Fluid Resuscitation

Step-by-Step Approach:

  1. Assess:

    • Determine the type and severity of dehydration clinically (vital signs, mucous membranes, etc.).

  2. Rapid Rehydration (if needed):

    • Severe dehydration or shock: Initial bolus of isotonic fluid (e.g., normal saline 20 ml/kg IV over 5-60 minutes).

  3. Maintenance + Deficit + Ongoing Losses:

    • Calculate maintenance needs using Holliday-Segar.

    • Calculate the fluid deficit.

    • Add ongoing losses (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting).

  4. Fluid Rate:

    • Divide the total fluid volume (maintenance + deficit + losses) over 24 hours or a shorter period as needed.

  5. Fluid Type:

    • Isonatremic Dehydration: Isotonic fluids like normal saline or Ringer's lactate.

    • Hyponatremic Dehydration: Start with isotonic fluids, then switch to a solution with higher sodium. Correct sodium levels slowly.

    • Hypernatremic Dehydration: Use hypotonic fluids like 0.45% saline or 5% dextrose. Correct sodium levels slowly.

  6. Monitoring:

    • Monitor vital signs, urine output, and electrolytes closely. Adjust the fluid rate and composition as needed.

Detailed Breakdown of Provided Formulas

Isonatremic Dehydration Treatment:

  • Method 1:

    • Initial Rapid Rehydration:

      • Administer 0.9% NaCl at 20 ml/kg IV over 15 minutes.

      • For a 10 kg child: 200 ml

    • Fluid Calculation:

      • Maintenance (using Holliday-Segar):

        • First 10 kg: 1000 ml/day

        • Maintenance rate: 41.7 ml/hr

      • Deficit:

        • 10% dehydration: 1000 ml

        • Half deficit in first 8 hours: 500 ml

        • Rate for 8 hours: 62.5 ml/hr

        • Remaining half in next 16 hours: 31.2 ml/hr

    • Example Calculation:

      • First 8 hours: 104.2 ml/hr

      • Next 16 hours: 72.9 ml/hr

  • Method 2:

    • Initial Rapid Rehydration:

      • Same as Method 1: 200 ml

    • Fluid Calculation:

      • Deficit Calculation:

        • Total deficit: 1000 ml

        • After bolus: 800 ml

        • Administer in first 8 hours: 100 ml/hr

    • Maintenance Calculation:

      • Maintenance rate: 41.7 ml/hr

    • Example Calculation:

      • First 8 hours: 100 ml/hr (deficit)

      • Next 16 hours: 41.7 ml/hr (maintenance)

  • Method 3:

    • Initial Rapid Rehydration:

      • Same as Method 1: 200 ml

    • Fluid Calculation:

      • Total Fluid Requirement:

        • Maintenance: 1000 ml/day

        • Deficit: 1000 ml

        • Total: 2000 ml

      • Rate Calculation:

        • 83.3 ml/hr

    • Example Calculation:

      • 83.3 ml/hr for 24 hours

  • Method 4:

    • Initial Rapid Rehydration:

      • Same as Method 1: 200 ml

    • Fluid Calculation:

      • Total Fluid Requirement:

        • Maintenance: 1000 ml/day

        • Deficit: 1000 ml

        • Subtract initial bolus: 1800 ml

      • Rate Calculation:

        • 75 ml/hr

    • Example Calculation:

      • 75 ml/hr for 24 hours

Hyponatremic Dehydration:

  • Symptomatic Hyponatremia: (Seizure, coma)

    • 3% NaCl 2 ml/kg/dose IV in 10 min (max 100 ml).

    • Repeat 3% NaCl 2 ml/kg IV x 1-2 doses.

    • Goal: Increase Na 5 mEq/L in first 1-2 hours.

    • Recheck serum Na following second bolus or every 2 hours.

Hypernatremic Dehydration:

  • Rapid Rehydration:

    • Shock: NSS 20 ml/kg IV drip in 5-15 minutes.

    • No shock: NSS 20 ml/kg IV drip in 60 minutes.

  • After Rapid Rehydration:

  • Rate of fluid:

    • Rate of fluid: Two times maintenance plus deficit minus initial resuscitation, divided by 46-47

    • Alternative Rate: 1.5×Maintenance = One and a half times maintenance, divided by 22-24 hours.


  • Total Sodium Requirement:

    • Avoid decreasing serum Na more than 10-15 mmol/L/24 hours.

    • Duration for sodium correction based on initial serum Na:

      • 146-157 mmol/L: 24 hours

      • 158-170 mmol/L: 48 hours

      • 171-183 mmol/L: 72 hours

      • 184-196 mmol/L: 84 hours


Key Points to Emphasize

  1. Sodium Correction Rates:

    • Correcting sodium levels too quickly is dangerous. Aim for a safe correction rate to avoid complications.

  2. Formula Applications:

    • Understand the clinical application of these formulas for effective fluid management.

  3. Constant Monitoring:

    • Frequent reassessment of vital signs, urine output, and serum electrolytes is vital to monitor therapy response and make necessary adjustments.

Using the Holliday-Segar Method and Age Cut-Offs

Holliday-Segar Method:

  • For infants and young children:

    • First 10 kg: 100 ml/kg/day

    • Second 10 kg: 50 ml/kg/day

    • Each kg over 20 kg: 20 ml/kg/day

Age-Specific Daily Fluid Needs:

  • Term Infants:

    • Day 1: 65 cc/kg/day

    • Day 2: 65 cc/kg/day

    • Day 3: 80 cc/kg/day

    • Day 4: 100 cc/kg/day

    • Day 5+: 120-150 cc/kg/day

  • Preterm Infants:

    • Day 1: 80 cc/kg/day

    • Day 2: 80 cc/kg/day

    • Day 3: 100 cc/kg/day

    • Day 4: 120 cc/kg/day

    • Day 5+: 150 cc/kg/day

Examples of Maintenance Calculation Based on Age:

Term Infant on Day 3 (80 cc/kg/day):

  • Example Calculation for a 3 kg term infant:

    • 3 x 80 = 240 cc/day

    • 240 / 24 = 10 cc/hr

Preterm Infant on Day 1 (80 cc/kg/day):

  • Example Calculation for a 2 kg preterm infant:

    • 2 x 80 = 160 cc/day

    • 160 / 24 = 6.7 cc/hr

Conclusion

By integrating these formulas and guidelines, pediatric fluid replacement can be managed effectively, ensuring safety and optimal hydration for the child. Regular monitoring and adjustment based on clinical response and laboratory values are essential for successful outcomes.


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