Hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia during intravenous fluid administration.
BACKGROUND
Hospital-acquired hyponatraemia is associated with excessive volumes of hypotonic intravenous fluids and can cause death or permanent neurological deficit.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 17 hospitals on all children receiving intravenous fluids during 1 day of a specified week in December 2004.


RESULTS
77 of 99 children receiving intravenous fluids received hypotonic solutions and 38% received >105% of fluid requirements. 21 of 86 children were hyponatraemic, but the electrolytes of only 79% had been checked in the preceding 48 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous fluids should be used with caution as regards the tonicity and volume administered, and with appropriate monitoring of serum electrolytes.
Armon
K
K
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY, UK. kate.armon@nnuh.nhs.uk
Riordan
A
A
Playfor
S
S
Millman
G
G
Khader
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D013997:Time Factors
D007038:Hypotonic Solutions