What type of IV fluid is indicated for resuscitation in children with severe dehydration?

The appropriate type of IV fluid for resuscitation in children with severe dehydration is isotonic crystalloids. Isotonic crystalloids, such as normal saline or lactated Ringer's solution, closely match the osmolarity of blood plasma. This property makes them effective for restoring intravascular volume in dehydrated children, replenishing fluid deficits and aiding in improving circulation and tissue perfusion.

In the context of severe dehydration, especially due to conditions like gastroenteritis, isotonic crystalloids help achieve rapid volume expansion without significantly altering serum osmolarity or causing fluid shifts that could lead to complications such as cellular edema. Furthermore, isotonic fluids help maintain electrolyte balance, which is crucial in the pediatric population that may already be at risk for electrolyte abnormalities due to dehydration.

Other fluid types, such as hypotonic saline, colloids, and hypertonic saline, are not typically chosen for initial resuscitation in these cases. Hypotonic solutions can result in cellular swelling and dilutional hyponatremia, colloids can be more expensive and are typically used in specific cases, and hypertonic saline may lead to volume overload in a patient who is already presenting with significant volume depletion. Therefore, isotonic crystallo