Intravenous fluids in children and young people: summary of NICE guidance

Abstract

#### What you need to know Inappropriate use of intravenous fluids in children may have serious consequences. These include death or permanent neurological injury from hyponatraemia,1 hypovolaemia, and poor organ perfusion, as well as the risks of hypervolaemia, oedema, and heart failure. Children have different fluid requirements from adults, for whom specific guidance exists.2 This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).3 #### What’s new in this guidance NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on the guideline development group’s experience and opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italic in square brackets. The guidance covers children and young people under 16, including neonates, unless otherwise specified. ### Assessment and monitoring (figs 1⇓ and 2⇓) Fig 1 Algorithm for …