Medication Use as a Contributor to Fluid Overload in the PICU: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

In this prospective observational study, we explored the association of daily fluid intake from medication use with fluid overload in 75 children beginning 24 hours after intubation. The mean percent daily fluid intake from medications was 29% in the overall cohort. Excess intake and inadequate output contributed significantly to fluid overload. In the 28 patients who became >= 10% fluid overloaded, the mean percent daily fluid intake from medications was 34%, but just 23% in the patients who did not. Awareness of volume contribution and maximized concentration of parenteral medications when able may lessen the burden of fluid overload.