1. Fluids, Electrolyte and
Nutrition Management in
Neonates
Dr Varsha Atul Shah
Consultant
Neonatal and Devt
Medicine

2. FEN Management in Neonates
 Essentials of life:
– Food (Nutrition)
– water (Fluid/electrolyte)
– shelter (control of environment - temperature etc)
 Essentials of neonatal care:
– Fluid, electrolyte, nutrition management (All babies)
– Control of environment (All babies)
– Respiratory /CVS/CNS management (some babies)
– Infection management (some babies)

3. Why is FEN management
important?
 Many babies in NICU need IV fluids
 They all don’t need the same IV fluids
(either in quantity or composition)
 If wrong fluids are given, neonatal kidneys
are not well equipped to handle them
 Serious morbidity can result from fluid and
electrolyte imbalance

4. Fluids and Electrolytes
 Main priniciples:
– Total body water (TBW) = Intracellular fluid (ICF)
+ Extracellular fluid (ECF)
– Extracellular fluid (ECF) = Intravascular fluid (in
vessels : plasma, lymph) + Interstitial fluid
(between cells)
 Main goals:
– Maintain appropriate ECF volume,
– Maintain appropriate ECF and ICF osmolality and
ionic concentrations

5. Things to consider:
Normal changes in TBW, ECF
 All babies are born with an excess of TBW,
mainly ECF, which needs to be removed
– Adults are 60% water (20% ECF, 40% ICF)
– Term neonates are 75% water (40% ECF,
35% ICF) : lose 5-10 % of weight in first week
– Preterm neonates have more water (23 wks:
90%, 60% ECF, 30% ICF): lose 5-15% of
weight in first week

6. Things to consider:
Normal changes in Renal Function
 Adults can concentrate or dilute urine very
well, depending on fluid status
 Neonates are not able to concentrate or
dilute urine as well as adults - at risk for
dehydration or fluid overload
 Renal function matures with increasing:
– gestational age
– postnatal age

7. Things to consider:
Insensible water loss (IWL)
 “Insensible” water loss is water loss that
is not obvious (makes sense?): through
skin (2/3) or respiratory tract (1/3)
– depends on gestational age (more preterm:
more IWL)
– depends on postnatal age (skin thickens with
age: older is better --> less IWL)
– also consider losses of other fluids: Stool
(diarrhea/ostomy), NG/OG drainage, CSF
(ventricular drainage), etc

8. Assessment of fluid and
electrolyte status
 History: baby’s F&E status partially reflects
mom’s F&E status (Excessive use of oxytocin,
hypotonic IVF can cause hyponatremia)
 Physical Examination:
– Weight: reflects TBW. Not very useful for
intravascular volume (eg. Long term paralysis and
peritonitis can lead to increased body weight and
increased interstitial fluid but decreased intravascular
volume. Moral : a puffy baby may or may not have
adequate fluid where it counts: in his blood vessels)

9. Assessment of fluid and
electrolyte status (contd.)
 Physical Examination (contd.)
– Skin/Mucosa: Altered skin turgor, sunken AF,
dry mucosa, edema etc are not sensitive
indicators in babies
– Cardiovascular:
 Tachycardia can result from too much (ECF excess
in CHF) or too little ECF (hypovolemia)
 Delayed capillary refill can result from low cardiac
output
 Hepatomegaly can occur with ECF excess
 Blood pressure changes very late

10. Assessment of fluid and
electrolyte status (contd.)
 Lab evaluation:
– Serum electrolytes and plasma osmolarity
– Urine output
– Urine electrolytes, specific gravity (not very
useful if the baby is on diuretics - lasix etc),
FENa
– Blood urea, serum creatinine (values in the first
few days reflect mom’s values, not baby’s)
– ABG (low pH and bicarb may indicate poor
perfusion)

11. Management of F&E
 Goal: Allow initial loss of ECT over first
week (as reflected by wt loss), while
maintaining normal intravascular volume
and tonicity (as reflected by HR, UOP,
lytes, pH). Subsequently, maintain water
and electrolyte balance, including
requirements for body growth.
 Individualize approach (no “cook book” is
good enough!)

12. Management of F&E (contd.)
 Total fluids required:
– TFI = Maintenance requirements
(IWL+Urine+Stool water) + growth
– In the first few days, IWL is the largest component
– Later, solute load increases (80-120 Cal/kg/day = 15-20
mOsm/kg/day => 60-80 ml/kg/day to excrete wastes)
– Stool: 5-10 cc/kg/day
– Growth: 20-25 cc/kg/day (since wt gain is 70% water)

13. Management of F&E (contd.)
FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES
 Guidelines for fluid therapy
Fluids Term PreT
ml/kg/d ml/kg/d
D1 60 60
D2 90 80
D3 120 100
D4 150 120
D5 150 140
D6 150 150

14. Management of F&E (contd.)
FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES
Guidelines for fluid therapy
Full drip/NBM
D1 – Dextrose + 10%CaG 5ml/kg
D2 – Dextrose + 10%CaG 2 ml/kg (if N Ca)
D3+ - add Na 2 mmol/kg + K 2 mmol/kg
Use Calcium Chloride if on inotropes:
D1 - Dextrose + 10%CaCl2 2 ml/kg
D2 - Dextrose + 0.8 ml/kg (if N Ca)
D3+ - add Na 2 mmol/kg + K 2 mmol/kg
(1m 20%NaCl=3.4mmol; 1m 7.45%KCl=1mmol)

15. Management of F&E (contd.)
FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES
 Guidelines for fluid therapy
•Usually 10% Dex
•Preterm <1000g, use 5% Dex
•SGA babies may need more fluids.
Use 50th centile BW for GA as gauge.
•Asphyxiated babies may need fluid
restriction.

16. Maintenance electrolytes
 Sodium 2mmol/kg/d 1ml 20% NaCl = 3.4mmol
 Potassium 2mmol/kg/d1ml 7.45% KCl = 1mmol
 Calcium 1ml 10% Calcium gluconate = 0.23mmol
Ca
 D1- 5ml/kg 10% Calcium gluconate
 D2 - 2ml/kg/d (if Ca level is Normal)
 If Baby on Inotropes: use 10% Ca Chloride
 D1 - 2 ml/kg; D2 - 0.8 ml/kg (if Ca is N)

17. Normal values for Electrolytes
 Sodium 135-145mmol/l
 Replacement (mmol) =
 2/3 x (deficit from 140) x weight(kg)
 Potassium 3.5-6.0mmol/l
 Replacement (mmol) =
 2/3 x (deficit from 5.0) x weight(kg)

18. Calcium
 Normal Calcilum 2.27 – 2.79mmol/l
 Correct if total Ca<2.0 mmol/l or ionic
Ca<1.0 mmol/l:
 5ml/kg/d 10%Ca Gluconate if on drip
 On feeds, give Ca Sandoz
 <2.5kg 2.5ml TDS
≥2.5kg 5ml BD

19. Magnesium
 Normal Magnesium 0.7-0.95 mmol/l
 Correct if: <0.7mmol/l (symptomatic)
 <0.55mmol/l (asymptomatic)
IM 0.2ml/kg 50%MgSO4 (dilute to 25%)

20. Management of F&E (contd.)
 Factors modifying fluid requirement:
– Maturity--> Mature skin --> reduces IWL
– Elevated temperature (body/environment)--> increases
IWL
– Humidity: Higher humidity--> decreases IWL up to
30% (over skin and over respiratory mucosa)
– Skin breakdown, skin defects (e.g. omphalocele)-->
increases IWL (proportional to area)
– Radiant warmer --> increases IWL by 50%
– Phototherapy --> increases IWL by 50%
– Plastic Heat Shield --> reduces IWL by 10-30%

21. Let there be lytes!
 Electrolyte requirements:
– For the first 1-3 days, sodium, potassium, or
chloride are not generally required
– Later in the first week, needs are 1-2 mEq/kg/
day (1 L of NS = 150+ mEq; 150 cc/kg/day of 1/4
NS = 5.9 mEq/kg/day which is too much)
– After the first week, during growth, needs are
2-3 or even 4 mEq/kg/day

22. F&E in common neonatal
conditions
 RDS: Adequate but not too much fluid. Excess leads to
hyponatremia, risk of BPD. Too little leads to
hypernatremia, dehydration
 BPD: Need more calories but fluids are usually
restricted: hence the need for “rocket fuel”. If diuretics
are used, w/f ‘lyte problems. May need extra calcium.
 PDA: Avoid fluid overload. If indocin is used, monitor
urine output.
 Asphyxia: May have renal injury or SIADH. Restrict
fluids initially, avoid potassium. May need fluid challenge
if cause of oliguria is not clear.

23. Common ‘lyte problems
 Sodium:
– Hyponatremia (<130 mEq/L; worry if <125)
– Hypernatremia (>150 mEq/L; worry if >150)
 Potassium:
– Hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L; worry if <3.0)
– Hyperkalemia > 6 mEq/L (non-hemolyzed)
(worry if >6.5 or if ECG changes )
 Calcium:
– Hypocalcemia (total<7 mg/dL; i<4)
– Hypercalcemia (total>11; i>5)

24. Sodium stuff : Hyponatremia
 Sodium levels often reflect fluid status
rather than sodium intake
ECF Excess Excess IVF, CHF, Restrict fluids
Sepsis, Paralysis
ECF Normal Excess IVF, SIADH, Restrict fluids
Pain, Opiates
ECF Deficit Diuretics, CAH, NEC Increase
(third spacing) sodium intake

25. Sodium stuff : Hypernatremia
 Hypernatremia is usually due to excessive
IWL in first few days in VLBW infants
(micropremies). Increase fluid intake and
decrease IWL.
 Rarely due to excessive hypertonic fluids
(sod bicarb in babies with PPHN).
Decrease sodium intake.

26. Potassium stuff
 Potassium is mostly intracellular: blood levels
do not usually indicate total-body potassium
 pH affects K+: 0.1 pH change=>0.3-0.6 K+
change (More acid, more K; less acid, less K)
 ECG affected by both HypoK and HyperK:
– Hypok:flat T, prolonged QT, U waves
– HyperK: peaked T waves, widened QRS, bradycardia,
tachycardia, SVT, V tach, V fib

27. Hypo- and Hyper-K
 Hypokalemia:
– Leads to arrhythmias, ileus, lethargy
– Due to chronic diuretic use, NG drainage
– Treat by giving more potassium slowly
 Hyperkalemia:
– Increased K release from cells following IVH,
asphyxia, trauma, IV hemolysis
– Decreased K excretion with renal failure, CAH
– Medication error very common

28. Management of Hyperkalemia
 Stop all fluids with potassium
 Calcium gluconate 1-2 cc/kg (10%) IV
 Sodium bicarbonate 1-2 mEq/kg IV
 Glucose-insulin combination
 Lasix (increases excretion over hours)
 Kayexelate 1 g/kg PR (not with sorbitol!
Not to give PO for premies!)
 Dialysis/ Exchange transfusion

29. Calcium stuff
 At birth, levels are 10-11 mg/dL. Drop normally
over 1-2 days to 7.5-8.5 in term babies.
 Hypocalcemia:
– Early onset (first 3 days):Premies, IDM, Asphyxia
If asymptomatic, >6.5: Wait it out. Supplement
calcium if <6.5
– Late onset (usually end of first week)”High
Phosphate” type: Hypoparathyroidism, maternal
anticonvulsants, vit. D deficiency etc. Reduce
renal phosphate load

30. Things we aren’t going to
discuss (i.e.) homework:
 Acid-base disorders: Acidosis or Alkalosis,
Metabolic or Respiratory or Mixed
 Hypercalcemia
 Magnesium disorders
 Metabolic disorders
 Methods of feeding: Continuous vs.
Intermittent; TP vs OG vs NG vs NJ;
Trophic feeds; Complications of TPN
(We can discuss these, if time permits)

31. Common fluid problems
 Oliguria : UOP< 1cc/kg/hr. Prerenal, Renal, or
Postrenal causes. Most normal term babies pee
by 24-48 hrs. Don’t wait that long in sick l’il
babies! Check Baby, urine, FBP. Try fluid
challenge, then lasix. Get USG if no response
 Dehydration: Wt loss, oliguria+, urine sp.
gravity >1.012. Correct deficits, then
maintenance + ongoing losses
 Fluid overload: Wt gain, often hyponatremia.
Fluid+ sodium restriction

32. Nutrition
 Goals: Normal growth and development
(as compared to intrauterine growth for preterm
neonates, or as compared to growth charts for
term neonates)
 Nutrient requirements:
Energy (Cals) Carbohydrate
Water Minerals
Protein Vitamins
Fat Trace elements

33. E=energy required
Energy { E = mc 2
m =mass of baby
c = cry loudness
}
 Energy needs: depend upon age, weight,
maturation, caloric intake, growth rate, activity,
thermal environment, and nature of feeds.
 Growing premies: (Cal/kg/day)
– Resting expenditure: 50
– Minimal activity: 4-5
– Occasional cold stress: 10
– Fecal loss (10-15%): 15
– Growth (4.5 Cal/g +): 45
125

34. Energy
 Stressed and sick infants need more energy
(e.g. sepsis, surgery)
 Babies on parenteral nutrition need less energy
(less fecal loss of nutrients, no loss for
absorption): 70-90 Cal/kg/day+ 2.4-2.8
g/kg/day Protein adequate for growth
 Count non-protein calories only! Protein to be
preferred used for growth, not energy
 65% from carbohydrates, 35% from lipids ideal
 >165-180 Cal/kg/day not useful

35. Calculations
 To calculate a neonate’s F,E,& N:
– First calculate the amount of fluid (Water)
– Then calculate how you plan to give it:
Parenteral (IV) or Enteral (OG/PO)
– Then calculate the amount of energy required
– Decide how to provide the energy: amount
and nature of carbohydrates and lipids
– Provide proteins, vitamins, trace elements

36. Calculations: practical hints for
TPN
 Do not starve babies! The ones who don’t complain are
the ones who need it the most.
 Use birthweight to calculate intake till birthweight
regained, then use daily wt
 Start TPN on 2nd or 3rd day if the baby will not be on
full feeds by a week
 Start with proteins (1 g/kg/d) and increase slowly.
 After a few days (3rd or 4th day), add lipids (0.5 kg/kg/
d)
 Aim for 90-100 Cal/kg/day with 2.5-3 g/kg/d Protein
(NPC/N of 150-200)

37. Carbohydrate
 IV:
– Dextrose 3.4 Cal/g = 34 Cal/100 cc of D10W.
– Tiny babies are less able to tolerate dextrose. If
< 1 kg, start at 6 mg/kg/min. If 1-1.5 kg, start at
8 mg/kg/min.
– If blood levels >150-180 mg/dL, glucosuria=>
osmotic diuresis, dehydration
– Insulin can control hyperglycemia
– Hyper- or hypo-glycemia => early sign of sepsis
– Avoid Dextrose>12.5% through peripheral IV

38. Carbohydrate
 Enteral:
– Human milk/ 20 Cal/oz formula = 67 Cal/100 cc
– Lactose is carbohydrate in human milk and term
formula. Soy and lactose free formula have
sucrose, maltodextrins and glucose polymers
– Preterm formula has 50% lactose and 50%
glucose polymers (lactase level lower in premies,
but glycosidases active) 80Cal/100cc
– Lactose provides 40-45% of calories in human
milk and term formula

39. Fat
 Parenteral:
– 20% Intralipid (made from Soybean) better than
10%
– High caloric density (2 Cal/cc vs 0.34 for D10W)
– Start low, go slow (0.5-3 g/kg/day)
– Avoid higher amounts in sepsis, jaundice, severe
lung disease
– Maintain triglyceride levels of < 150 mg/dL.
Decrease infusion if >200-300 mg/dL.

40. Fat
 Enteral:
– Approximately 50% of the calories are derived
from fat. >60% may lead to ketosis.
– Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are
absorbed directly. Preterm formula have more
MCT for this reason.
– At least 3% of the total energy should be
supplied as EFA

41. Protein
 Term infants need 1.8-2.2 g/kg/day
 Preterm (VLBW) infants need 3-3.5 g/kg/day (IV or
enteral), ELBW 3-4g/kg/day
 Restrict stressed infants or infants with cholestasis
to 1.5 g/kg/day
 Start early - VLBW neonates may need 1.5-2
g/kg/day by 72 hours
 Very high protein intakes (>5-6 g/kg/day) may be
dangerous
 Maintain NP Calorie/Protein ratio (at least 25-30:1)

42. Minerals (other than Na,K, Cl)
 Calcium & Phosphorus:
– Third trimester Ca accretion (120-150mg/kg/day)
and PO4 (75-85 mg/kg/day) is more than
available in human milk. Hence, HMF is essential.
Premie formula has sufficient Ca/PO4. Ratio
should be 1:7:1 by wt.
 Magnesium: sufficient in human milk & formula
 Iron: Feed Fe-fortified formula. Start Fe in breast
fed term infants at 4 months of age, and in premies
once full feeds are reached. (Does not prevent
Anemia of Prematurity )

43. Vitamins
 Fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K
 Water soluble vitamins: Vitamins B1,B2, B6, B12,
Biotin, Niacin, Pantothenate, Folic acid, Vitamin C
 All neonates should get vit K at birth
 Term neonates: No vitamin supplement required,
except perhaps vit D
 Preterm: Start vitamin supplements once full
feeds established if on human milk without HMF.
No need if on human milk with HMF, or preterm
infant formula (except: add vit D if on SSC24).

44. Trace elements
 Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Chromium,
manganese, Molybdenum, Iodine
 Most preterm formulas contain sufficient
amounts
 Fluoride supplementation not required in
neonatal period

45. Special formula
 Soy formula:
– Not recommended for premies: impaired mineral and
protein absorption; low vitamin content
– Used if galactosemia, CMPI, secondary lactose intolerance
following gastroenteritis
 Alfare: (Alimentum is similar, but with sucrose)
– Hydrolyzed casein; 50% MCT; glucose polymers
– Used if malabsorption or short bowel syndrome
 Portagen:
– Casein; 75% glucose polymers+25% sucrose; 85% MCT
– Useful for persistent chylothorax. Can cause EFA def.

46. Special formula (contd.)
 Similac PM 60/40:
– Low sodium and phosphate; high Ca/PO4 ratio
– Used in renal failure, hypoparathyroidism
 Similac 27:
– High energy with more Protein, Ca/Po4, Lytes
– Used for fluid restricted infants: CHF, BPD
 Nutramigen:
– Hypoallergenic, lactose and sucrose free
– Used for protein allergies, lactose intolerance

47. MILK FEEDS
 F/S(M) 0.67cal/ml
 F/S(P) 0.8cal/ml
 EBM 0.67cal/ml
 Neosure 0.73cal/ml
 Alfare 0.7cal/ml

48. Supplements
 MCT oil (8cal/ml)
 Start when iv lipids taken off
 Max 2ml/kg
 Start as ¼ml alt feed;
 ↑ ¼ml/feed after 2-3 days
 S-26 HMF: max
 2 sachets /100ml EBM 0.13cal/ml
 Similac HMF: max
 4 satchets/100ml EBM 0.15cal/ml
 For EBM, start fortification as half fortification when EBM
reaches 100ml/kg and ≥ a week old
 ↑ Full fortification after 2-3 days

49. Iron and Multivitamin
 Ferrum: start when started on recormon
and feeds started & tolerated
 or <1500g /not on recormon – on D21
 5-6mg/kg (1ml Fe=20drops=50mg)
 Multivitamins: start when off TPN
 1ml om