Fluids and electrolytes

Abstract

1) Children are not small adults. Babies are not small children. This is particularly true in the management of fluids in electrolytes of the pediatric surgical patient. 2) As children grow, the relative size of body fluid compartments changes with a decreasing size of the extracellular fluid compartment and an increase in the non-fluid compartment. 3) Urine output must be followed in critically ill children to track their fluid status. 4) To properly treat electrolyte abnormalities, the underlying cause must be identified and addressed.