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

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.

METHODS

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)).

RESULTS

After 3 h of treatment, both groups improved. However, the magnitude of improvement in the pH, BE and HCO(3)(-) 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.

CONCLUSIONS

Albumin was not more effective than NS for initial hydration treatment of dehydrated term infants with metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea.