Balanced Fluid in Pediatric Septic Shock
A large clinical trial involving over 9,000 children found no significant difference in outcomes between using balanced crystalloid fluid and 0.9% saline for treating pediatric septic shock. While the primary clinical outcomes were similar, the study noted differences in electrolyte levels, specifically lower rates of hyperchloremia with balanced fluids.
Why it matters
This study provides evidence-based guidance for emergency medical practitioners, potentially standardizing resuscitation protocols for children in septic shock.
BALANCED fluid did not reduce major adverse kidney events compared with saline in children treated for septic shock .
A large pragmatic clinical trial found no significant difference between balanced crystalloid fluid and 0.9% saline in the incidence of death, new renal replacement therapy, or persistent kidney dysfunction. The findings address continued uncertainty surrounding the preferred fluid for pediatric septic shock resuscitation.
The trial enrolled 9,041 children between 2 months and younger than 18 years of age who presented with suspected septic shock and abnormal perfusion. Participants were treated at 47 emergency departments across five countries and randomly assigned to receive balanced fluid or 0.9% saline for up to 48 hours.
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