الفهرس 
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Abstract
Correct fluid and electrolyte balance is essential to maintain physiological function. Normally, children and young people get the fluid they need by drinking. Many children and young people admitted to hospitals may be too ill to drink so may need intravenous (IV) fluid therapy to correct or maintain their fluid and electrolyte balance.
Children and young people may need IV fluids to account for losses of red blood cells, plasma, water or electrolytes beyond the usual losses in urine, stools and sweat. These losses can come from burns, diarrhea, vomiting or leakage of fluid into the interstitial space. In these cases the aim is to replace any depleted fluids and restore electrolyte balance.
Whether IV fluid therapy is needed for fluid resuscitation, routine maintenance, replacement or redistribution, it is vital that the correct composition, volume and timing of IV fluid therapy are used.
IV fluid types include colloids, crystalloids and combinations of fluids, and different types of fluids are appropriate for different situations. Errors in prescribing or administering IV fluids can result in inadequate or excessive provision, leading to hypovolemia and poor organ perfusion, or hypervolemia, edema and heart failure.
Failing to correct imbalances in electrolytes can lead to disturbances in intracellular or extracellular electrolyte balance, particularly in children and young people with reduced liver or kidney function.
While there are many factors that contribute to the fluid and electrolyte needs of children, approaching this therapy in a systematic, organized fashion, can help meet ongoing as well as changing needs of the patient. Organizing fluid therapy into maintenance, deficit, and replacement requirements, and then monitoring the patient for response to therapy makes fluid therapy manageable.
Incorrectly prescribed intravenous fluids are potentially very dangerous. The safe use of IV fluid therapy in children requires accurate prescribing (correct choice of fluid and rate) and careful monitoring. More adverse events are described from fluid administration than for any individual medication.
In severely ill patients there is increasing recognition that the choice of fluid may affect outcome; this has led to the publication of fluid guidelines and recommendations.
There is an increasing use of guidelines throughout areas of medical practice, with the expectation that they will lead to improvement and standardization.