How many cc/kg/day of fluids are needed to adequately hydrate an infant?

The amount of fluid intake needed to adequately hydrate an infant (or anyone, for that matter) cannot be specified exactly because it will vary markedly depending on factors such as the rate of urine output, loss from the gastrointestinal tract (i.e., vomiting or diarrhea), and normal evaporation of water from skin and lungs. The latter also varies markedly depending on temperature and activity. Generally speaking, if urine output is 50 cubic centimeters (cc) per kilogram body weight (kg) per day and gastrointestinal losses are nil, total fluid intake (including food) will need to be about 1.5 times as much or 75 cc/kg/d. However, as noted above, this can vary markedly depending on the situation. The good news is that it is not necessary to worry about fluid intake if the patient is conscious and can drink normally because the thirst mechanism will ensure that it is appropriate, no matter how much fluid output may vary. If the patient is unconscious or lacks a normal thirst mechanism, ...  more