title: Fluid Bolus Therapy-Based Resuscitation for Severe Sepsis in Hospitalized Children: A Systematic Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review systematically data from randomized and nonrandomized studies of fluid bolus therapy in hospitalized children with septic shock.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched for randomized controlled studies of fluid bolus therapy in children with severe sepsis. We identified retrospective, prospective, and observational studies. We excluded studies of severe sepsis/septic shock due to a specific microbiological etiology, neonatal studies, and studies where advanced supportive therapies were unavailable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two authors screened articles for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified and analyzed three randomized controlled trials and eight nonrandomized studies. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Two single-center Indian studies and one Brazilian study assessed three different fluid bolus therapy regimens in small cohorts with different populations, physiological triggers, and physiological and clinical outcomes. No randomized controlled trials compared fluid bolus therapy with alternative interventions, such as vasopressors. The nonrandomized studies were heterogeneous in populations, methodology, and outcome measures. No observed physiological differences were identified based on volume of fluid bolus therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are only limited data to support the use of fluid bolus therapy in hospitalized children. Prospective observational data and randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to evaluate this therapy in resource rich settings.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Intensive Care, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2Melbourne Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia. 3Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 4Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gelbart
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Glassford
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bellomo
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents