Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Use of conventional volume maintenance isotonic saline has been shown to reduce the incidence of hyponatraemia. The present study was conducted to compare isotonic vs hypotonic fluid maintenance in children. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 children age ranged 1- 6 years of both genders. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I received isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl in 5% dextrose) and group II received hypotonic saline solution (0.18% NaCl solution in 5% dextrose). Maintenance fluid volume for administration was calculated using Holliday and Segar formula. Results: The mean serum sodium in group I was 135.2 mEq/L and in group II was 136.7 mEq/L serum osmolality was 290.4 mOSm/L in group I and 294.2 mOSm/L in group II, serum potassium was 3.4 mEq/L in group I and 4.0 mEq/L in group II, serum chloride was 98.1 mEq/L in group I and 100.4 mEq/L in group II, blood urea was 38.4 mg/dl in group I and 39.1 mg/dl in group II, serum creatinine was 0.81 mg/dl in group I and 0.73 mg/dl in group II, blood sugar was 105.6 mg/dl in group I and 97.2 mg/dl in group II. The difference was non- significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Authors found isotonic fluid results in fewer episodes of hyponatremia than hypotonic fluid in children during the first hours of intravenous fluid therapy. Key words: Hyponatremia, Hypotonic, Isotonic