Renal function and fluid therapy in high risk infants.

In recent years, the survival rate of high risk infants has markedly increased. The role of such medical management as fluid, electrolyte and nutritional therapy have assumed a greater importance in assuring optimal quality of the survivors. The very low birth weight infants, particularly those with respiratory distress syndrome and perinatal asphyxia, are at highest risk. The inefficient renal function, unique characteristic of body fluid composition and/or presence of severe clinical illness often make the management of fluid and electrolytes in this group of infants difficult. The numerous factors that influence insensible water loss make calculation of fluid management in the high risk infant even more challenging. Systematic collection of data such as daily body weight, intake, output, urine specific gravity and serum electrolyte is essential to appropriately maintain fluid and electrolytes balance in these infants. Respiratory distress syndrome is a common problem in premature infants and the fluid and electrolyte management in these infants will require similar attention to details as described for the fluid and electrolytes of very low birth infants. Perinatal asphyxia often results in oliguria or anuria because of possible development of inappropriate ADH secretion or acute tubular necrosis. It is essential that fluid restriction be done on the first day or two of life to avoid fluid overload.