Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Fluid and electrolyte management of very low birth weight infants

William Oh1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. woh@wihri.org

Pediatrics and Neonatology
|January 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Optimizing fluid balance is crucial for very low birth weight infants to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. Careful management prevents morbidities like bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and promotes growth.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric medicine
  • Neonatal neurodevelopment

Background:

  • Medical advances have increased survival rates for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  • Optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes is a key priority in neonatal intensive care.
  • Fluid and electrolyte balance is essential for VBW infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review principles of maintenance fluid administration for VLBW infants.
  • To highlight risks of excessive fluid intake, including necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
  • To describe fluid and electrolyte management strategies for infants with BPD, emphasizing nutritional support.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on fluid management in VLBW infants.
  • Analysis of neonatal morbidities associated with fluid balance.
  • Examination of nutritional strategies for infants with BPD.

Main Results:

  • Careful fluid assessment is necessary to prevent complications in VLBW infants.
  • Excessive fluid administration is linked to increased risks of necrotizing enterocolitis, PDA, and BPD.
  • Adequate nutrition is vital for growth in infants with BPD.

Conclusions:

  • Appropriate fluid management is critical for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW survivors.
  • Avoiding fluid overload is essential for reducing neonatal morbidities.
  • Integrated fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional management is key for infants with BPD.

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates05:58

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates

Published on: September 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this measurement...
Disorder of Water Balance01:29

Disorder of Water Balance

Water balance disorders are medical conditions that occur when there is a deviation from the body's water volume or osmolarity, disrupting normal homeostasis and leading todehydration, hypotonic hydration, hyperhydration, edema, or water intoxication.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management

Nursing management for nephrotic syndrome adapts as the disease progresses, with strategies evolving to address advancing symptoms and complications.Early-Stage Management In the early stages, nursing interventions for nephrotic syndrome resemble those used in managing acute glomerulonephritis, focusing on symptom monitoring, fluid balance, and managing mild to moderate edema.Vital Signs: Regularly monitor blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature to promptly identify...
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management01:22

Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) results in an inability to maintain fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Effective nursing management is critical in improving patient outcomes and includes comprehensive patient assessment and targeted interventions.Comprehensive Patient AssessmentA detailed history collection is essential, focusing on any recent infections, nephrotoxic medication use, or chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may contribute to AKI. During the physical...
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management01:18

Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care​.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of fluid...
Peritoneal Dialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Peritoneal Dialysis III: Nursing Management

Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, utilizes the peritoneal membrane as a filter to eliminate excess fluid and waste products. Effective nursing management is essential for ensuring patient safety, preventing complications, and promoting optimal function of the peritoneal dialysis process.Assessment and MonitoringNurses must thoroughly assess the patient before, during, and after each dialysis session. Regular monitoring includes vital signs, daily weight, fluid intake and output, and laboratory values...