PERIOPERATIVE INFUSION THERAPY IN CHILDREN - ASSESSMENT OF A NEW INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION

A new intravenous solution (B66) containing 0.9 % dextrose in water for infusion therapy in infants and children was assessed. Forty-one children, aged between 6 months and 11 years, scheduled for elective non haemorrhagic surgery, were randomly assigned to two groups : children in group I (n = 22) were given 1 % dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution (RLG1), and those in groupe II (n = 19) the commercially available solution B66 (0.9 % dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution). The fluids were administered throughout the study with volumetric infusion pumps (IVAC 541 (R)). The infusion rate was adapted to children's weight and age. Blood samples for blood glucose, sodium and protein concentration assessments were obtained at induction (T0), on arrival in the recovery room (T1), than 30 and 60 min later (T2 and T3). Preoperative blood glucose concentrations were within the normal range for all children except for two, who had asymptomatic hypoglycaemia (2.2 and 2.3 mmol.l-1). Postoperative blood glucose concentrations were higher in both groups. This increase was significantly greater in the RLG1 group than in the B66 group. The highest mean figures at T1 were 6.8 +/- 1.5 mmol.l-1 and 5.2 +/- 1.0 mmol.l-1 in the RLG1 and B66 groups respectively. Total protein levels decreased postoperatively significantly in both groups. Preoperative age-related differences in total protein concentrations were also observed postoperatively. Sodium concentrations remained unchanged. The moderate increase in blood glucose together with the lack of change in sodium concentrations after an infusion of B66 might indicate that this solution in convenient for perioperative fluid therapy in otherwise healthy infants and children of more than 6 months of age.