Fluid Maintenance Requirement Questions
Given the weight of a child or infant, calculate the necessary amount of fluid per day. Different facilities may follow different policies, so the example table below is provided only to illustrate how these pediatric dosage calculations work. This site is for academic purposes and the table is for example use only (not a clinical standard). Always consult your institution's policies and clinical references for actual fluid requirements by weight.| Weight Range | Required Daily Fluid |
|---|---|
| 0-10 kg | 100 mL per kg |
| 10-20 kg | 1,000 mL + 50 mL per each kg above 10 kg |
| 20-70 kg | 1,500 mL + 20 mL per each kg above 20 kg |
| Over 70 kg | 2,500 mL (adult requirement) |
Example: An infant weighs 4 kg. What is the required amount of fluid per day in mL?
| 0-10 kg | 100 mL per kg |
- 4 kg x 100 mL/kg = 400 mL
Example: An infant weighs 30.8 lb. What is the required IV flow rate in mL/hr to maintain proper fluid levels?
Convert 30.8 lb to kg.
- lb → kg ( ÷ by 2.2 )
- 30.8 lb ÷ 2.2 = 14 kg
| 10-20 kg | 1,000 mL + 50 mL per each kg above 10kg |
- 14 kg - 10 kg = 4 kg (There are 4 kg over 10 kg).
- 1,000 mL + (50 mL/kg x 4 kg) = 1,200 mL/day
- This is now an ordinary IV Flow Rate - mL Rate Question. The required volume is 1,200 mL and the time is one day.
|
= | Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)Y (mL/hr) |
- 1 day x 24 = 24 hr
|
= | 50 mL/hr |