Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG29/2

Question

Glucose concentration:- What is the most appropriate glucose concentration in IV fluids for children and young people of different ages?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- In recent years, the use of glucose-containing hypotonic IV fluids in children and young people has been questioned, because of the risk of hyponatraemia. Many children and young people are now prescribed non-glucose-containing isotonic IV fluids for maintenance. However, there are several groups of children and young people, in particular, neonates and some children in the perioperative period (for example, those who underwent prolonged fasting preoperatively, and those who had central blocks during anaesthesia), who may benefit from glucose-containing IV solutions to prevent hypoglycaemia. A blanket prescription of 5 or 10% glucose solution for all may result in hyperglycaemia in some children and young people. However, the use of IV fluids containing lower concentrations of glucose may be sufficient to prevent hypoglycaemia and also avoid unnecessary hyperglycaemia. This may have a clinical application across all age groups, including neonates.

 

 

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Intravenous fluid therapy in children and young people in hospital

Number

NG29

Date issued

December 2015

Other details