Fluids, Electrolytes, Nutrition and Respiratory Syndrome in Infants

The maintenance of normal fluid and electrolyte balance may have a positive effect on the outcome of many underlying disease processes. The problems involved in establishing proper fluid and electrolyte administration are commonly encountered in the first four weeks after birth period (Neonatal). With growth, there are significant alterations in the balance between extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid. During the first 7 to 10 days of life, most infants experience a physiologic 5% to 12% reduction in body weight due to loss of body water, primarily ECF. The initial goal of fluid and electrolyte therapy is the maintenance of zero balance for fluids and electrolytes, assuming no preexisting deficits or excesses. The

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