Intravenous fluid prescription practices among pediatric residents in Korea.
PURPOSE
Recent studies have established the association between hypotonic fluids administration and hospital-acquired hyponatremia in children. The present paper investigated the pattern of current practice in intravenous fluid prescription among Korean pediatric residents, to underscore the need for updated education.


METHODS
A survey-based analysis was carried out. Pediatric residents at six university hospitals in Korea completed a survey consisting of four questions. Each question proposed a unique scenario in which the respondents had to prescribe either a hypotonic or an isotonic fluid for the patient.


RESULTS
Ninety-one responses were collected and analyzed. In three of the four scenarios, a significant majority prescribed the hypotonic fluids (98.9%, 85.7%, and 69.2%, respectively). Notably, 69.2% of the respondents selected the hypotonic fluids for postoperative management. Almost all (96.7%) selected the isotonic fluids for hydration therapy.


CONCLUSION
In the given scenarios, the majority of Korean pediatric residents would prescribe a hypotonic fluid, except for initial hydration. The current state of pediatric fluid management, notably, heightens the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatremia. Updated clinical practice education on intravenous fluid prescription, therefore, is urgently required.
['Lee|Jiwon M|JM|', 'Jung|Younghwa|Y|', 'Lee|Se Eun|SE|', 'Lee|Jun Ho|JH|', 'Kim|Kee Hyuck|KH|', 'Koo|Ja Wook|JW|', 'Park|Young Seo|YS|', 'Cheong|Hae Il|HI|', 'Ha|Il-Soo|IS|', 'Choi|Yong|Y|', 'Kang|Hee Gyung|HG|']
Intravenous Pediatrics Hyponatremia Fluid therapy Infusions Maintenance