Fluids and electrolytes

4.3. Management of fluids and electrolytes

In the first 24 hours after birth, the fluid requirement for a newborn infant is 60mL/kg/day

Type of fluid

Glucose: 10%

Calculating the hourly intravenous rate

(Birth weight in kg x 60) divided by 24 (hours)

Birth weight in kg x 60 = Hourly rate
24

For example, for a 3.0 kg infant, the calculation would be:

3.0 x 60 = 7.5 mL per hour
24

Sites for administration of fluids

Peripheral intravenous cannula (IV)

Umbilical venous catheter (UVC)

Intraosseous infusion (IO) if the above two sites cannot be accessed

All intravenous and intraosseous fluids should be infused via an infusion pump. The rate should be set and checked every hour.

Intravenous additives

Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are usually not required in the first 24 hours after birth.

Special circumstances

Some newborn infants have specific fluid requirements. Consult with the PIPER Consultant or a neonatologist at a tertiary centre for fluid requirements in the following infants:

Extremely low birth weight infants <1000 g

Infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE)

Infants with suspected shock

Infants with suspected or confirmed blood loss

Infants with hypogylcaemia

NEW!

Click here to access the Neonatal Worksheet, which will assist you to calculate the total fluid requirements for a given gestational age and birth weight.