Comparison of Two Intravenous Fluid Maintenance Therapy with Different Sodium Concentrations in Hospitalized Children: A Randomized Trial Study

Hyponatremia refers to the serum sodium levels less than 135 mEq/L, which can even lead to death. Accordingly, the present study compared the effects of intravenous fluid maintenance treatment with different concentration levels of sodium. In an investigative study to evaluate children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Bahrami Children's Hospital (2012-2013) which required intravenous fluid therapy and aged one to 14 years were evaluated. They were randomly divided into two groups: fluid treatment with 50 mEq/L (group I) and 100 mEq/L (group II) sodium concentrations. The fluids were calculated according to Holliday-Segar formula. Sodium of plasma [P (Na)] and Urine specific gravity (USG) were measured at the time of admittance (first P (Na) and USG) and 24 hrs after treatment (second P (Na) and USG). 108 children were admitted into the study. Significant differences were noted in the second P (Na) levels and differing of first and second P (Na) (P<0.008 and P<0.011). In the first group, 14 cases and in second three cases were hyponatremia (P (Na) < 135 mmol/L), but they weren’t symptomatic during the study. The difference between first and second USG was greater in group I (P <0.023). There was relation between the sodium of the IV fluid and decreased P (Na) concentration in the children who were undergoing intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. There were no Symptomatic hyponatremia cases reported, due to the decrease of P (Na), nor in the 24 hours following the IV therapy treatment.