Albumin versus normal saline for dehydrated term infants with metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of albumin to normal saline (NS) for initial hydration therapy for dehydrated term infants with severe metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea. Study Design: We randomized 33 infants presenting with moderate-to-severe dehydration and metabolic acidosis (pH <7.25 or base excess (BE) <-15) into two groups, an albumin group (n = 15) and a NS group (n = 18). For initial hydration treatment, the albumin group received 5% albumin (10 ml kg(-1)), whereas the NS group received NS (10 ml kg(-1)). Result: After 3 h of treatment, both groups improved. However, the magnitude of improvement in the pH, BE and HCO3- levels were not different in comparisons between these two groups. In addition, there were no differences either in the body weight and weight gain 4 days after treatment or in the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Albumin was not more effective than NS for initial hydration treatment of dehydrated term infants with metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea. Journal of Perinatology (2009) 29, 444-447; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.244; published online 22 January 2009