Fluid therapy in paediatric ALS

• hypovolaemia is a potentially reversible cause of cardiac arrest
• if hypovolaemia is suspected
  • infuse intravenous or intraosseous fluids rapidly
  • in the initial stages of resuscitation there are no clear advantages in using colloid. Use isotonic saline solutions
  • avoid dextrose-based solutions – these will be redistributed rapidly away from the intravascular space and will cause hyponatraemia and hyperglycaemia, which may worsen neurological outcome after cardiac arrest

Reference:

1. Resuscitation Council (UK). Advanced Paediatric Life Support. Guidelines 2005.