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Fluid management in children with volume depletion

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Abstract

Volume depletion is a common condition and a frequent cause of hospitalization in children. Proper assessment of the patient includes a detailed history and a thorough physical examination. Biochemical tests may be useful in selected cases. Understanding the pathophysiology of fluid balance is necessary for appropriate management. A clinical dehydration scale assessing more physical findings may help to determine dehydration severity. Most dehydrated children can be treated orally; however, intravenous therapy may be indicated in patients with severe volume depletion, in those who have failed oral therapy, or in children with altered consciousness or significant metabolic abnormalities. Proper management consists of restoring circulatory volume and electrolyte balance. In this paper, we review clinical aspects, diagnosis, and management of children with volume depletion.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Bates for reviewing the article and enhancing its intellectual content as well as improving the language. We would also like to thank Kush Doshi for his contribution in reviewing the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jakub Zieg

  2. Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Deepti Narla & Rupesh Raina

  3. Department of Pediatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

    Lucie Gonsorcikova

  4. Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, Akron, OH, USA

    Rupesh Raina

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  1. Jakub Zieg
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Jakub Zieg: contributed to the concept and design of the article, drafted the article, and revised it critically for intellectual content. Deepti Narla: contributed to the concept and design of the article and revised article critically for its intellectual content. Lucie Gonsorcikova: revised article critically for its intellectual content. Rupesh Raina: contributed to the concept and design of the article, revised the article for its intellectual content, and approved the final version to be published.

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Correspondence to Rupesh Raina.

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Answers: 1. d; 2. b; 3. a; 4. c; 5. d

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Zieg, J., Narla, D., Gonsorcikova, L. et al. Fluid management in children with volume depletion. Pediatr Nephrol 39, 423–434 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-023-06080-z

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