usual IV rates for neonates

[66nurse678]

I am a RN currently working in the device development industry. I would be interested in anyone willing to share the usual rates at which IV infusions are delivered to neonates.

0.1 ml to 0.4 ml/hr

0.5 ml to 0.9 ml/hr

1 ml/hr

5 ml/hr

Thank you for any information you are willing to share. I realize the rate is dependent on size as well but I am mainly interested in your most common rate range.

[prmenrs, RN]

All rates are figured per kg, and it varies w/ the babies age as well.

Babies

This is just maintanece fluid; medication drips (dopamine, epi, and the like) could go down to

JMHO, but if your industry wanted to do a good thing, develop an easier way to attach a pump to a pole. Last time I tried to do that task, I had one foot on the wheels of the pole, one had supporting the pump (they DO weigh a bit), and the other hand turning the knob on the thing that holds the device to the pole. All while trying to remember to do several other things. It takes too long, and is ergonomically unsound. Take a look at the handyman/carpenter shows. They have clamps that hold pieces of wood together that are "quick release". Just a suggestion.

[nell]

Do you mean TKO rates? Those vary too, depending on the size of the baby and what kind of line it is running through.

There is no "usual" rate. Fluids usually start at 80cc/kg/day and run up to 150cc/kg/day. That means the TOTAL fluids for a 780 gram baby like the one we have now, is getting 3.9cc per hour from ALL sources (120cc/kg/day) (UAC at 0.5cc/hr + TPN Via PICC at 3.2 cc/hr + IL at 0.2 cc/hr).

The term kid that's NPO due to resp distress is getting 17.5cc/hr (120cc/kg/day x 3.5kg divided by 24hrs). His IV will be weaned according to how much he takes orally when he starts to eat (IV+PO).

Sorry, it is just an impossible question to give one answer to...

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

We rarely have to have an IV running at more than 15 or 20cc/hr... and that's on a huge NPO baby. We usually don't have our IV pumps going slower than around 0.7cc/hr. If something needs to be slower, like a pressor drip, then it goes on a syringe pump.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

But you wanted USUAL rates...

An art line is usually around 0.8-1cc/hr and dextrose/TPN fluids are usually running somewhere in the range of 5-10cc/hr, depending on the size of the baby.

I think the absolute highest I've ever seen one of our pumps running at is 23cc/hr.

[66nurse678]

Thanks to all who have replied so far, you have confirmed my other sources. I really appreciate your help and will be back asking more questions or asking for your opinions on subjects regarding your patient population.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

prmenrs- YES!! I also would like to see easier IV pumps. How many times have you secured one to a pole and then a few hours later you push a button and it s..l..i..d..e..s down. And you thank your lucky stars it happened when you were looking at it and didn't crack some baby on the noggin. ANd I hate it when we have to pass a heavy pump to each other, especially over a patient, even an adult. You can't hold it for long, and never know for sure that the other person has a good grip.

[66nurse678]

Thanks for you suggestions I will pass them on to our development teams - just to let you know suggestions like yours are really appreciated. Unfortunately it takes one to two years to get even a simple one like changing a pole clamp into your hands, however keep them coming. I am committed to passing on any I hear to our teams. Thanks again.