Isotonic versus Hypotonic Intravenous Maintenance Fluids in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of hyponatremia during the first 48 h in hospitalized children receiving normal saline vs. N/2 saline as maintenance intravenous fluid. METHODS: This open label, randomized controlled trial to compare the incidence of hyponatremia in hospitalized children receiving normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride in 5% dextrose) vs. N/2 saline (0.45% sodium chloride in 5% dextrose) as maintenance fluid was conducted from December 2014 through November 2015 in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Children between 1 mo and 18 y requiring maintenance intravenous fluids were randomized to receive normal saline with 5% dextrose (n = 75) or N/2 saline with 5% dextrose (n = 75). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable for demographic variables and illness severity at baseline. Incidence of hyponatremia at 24 h of hospitalization was comparable between normal saline and N/2 saline group, 3(4%) vs. 6(8%) cases, respectively; p value 0.494. Mean serum sodium levels were marginally higher in normal saline group (138.3 ± 6.0 mEq/L) as compared with N/2 saline group (135.1 ± 4.4 mEq/L) (p value <0.01) at 24 h of hospitalization. Incidence of hyponatremia at 48 h and hypernatremia at 24 and 48 h was comparable in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of either N/2 saline or normal saline in sick children at standard maintenance fluid rates is associated with low but comparable incidence of hypo or hypernatremia in first 24 h of hospitalization. Both types of fluids appear acceptable in hospitalized sick children.