Effect of Fluid Bolus on Clinical Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Administration of fluid bolus in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is a common practice in the NICU, but one without clear evidence demonstrating benefits in clinical outcomes. On the contrary, recent observational studies have suggested a potential detrimental effect of empiric fluid bolus in preterm infants, especially in the absence of clear indications. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fluid bolus on various clinical outcomes in VLBW infants.

Retrospective cohort study of VLBW infants born at ≤34 weeks' gestation and/or ≤1500-g birth weight at a single level III NICU from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2013, and who received at least one fluid bolus within the first 48 hours of life. Outcomes studied were in-hospital mortality, need for home oxygen, incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD), prevalence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

Of 516 infants, 112 (21.7%) received a fluid bolus within the first 48 hours of life for various indications. Propensity models suggested no statistical difference for CLD or mortality, but exposed infants had an increased incidence of home on oxygen (p = 0.018), PDA prevalence (p = 0.008), and IVH prevalence (p = 0.038).

Fluid bolus in the first 48 hours of life may be associated with increased incidence of need for home oxygen and higher prevalence of PDA and IVH in VLBW infants. Future studies are needed to address these important adverse outcomes.