Fluid overload as a predictor of lethal outcome in critically-Ill children

Abstract

Infusion therapy is the main element of treatment of critical illness; at that, it is critical not only to eliminate hypovolemia, but also to prevent fluid overload. The purpose of the study was to identify predictors of a lethal outcome due to the peculiarities of infusion therapy and fluid balance in critically-ill children. Materials and methods. The study included 96 children admitted to the pediatric ICU. The average age of the children was 0.7 (0.2-2) years. Depending on the outcome, all patients were divided into two groups: I-«Recovery», II-«Lethal outcome». The daily volume of administered fluid, the volume of infusion therapy, the volume of pathological losses and fluid balance were estimated. Results. On the first day of therapy, parameters related to the volume of administered fluid were main factors that increased the probability of a lethal outcome; then mortality was associated with parameters related to the volume of discharged fluid. The volume of discharged fluid less than 20% of the administered volume increased the risk of a lethal outcome by 12-fold; the increase in the volume of fluid loss to 80% of the administered one contributed to a significant reduction in the risk of children’s death. Conclusion. Positive fluid balance due to reduced volume of the discharged liquid is a major risk factor of a lethal outcome in children.