Low versus high fluid therapy in infants with respiratory distress.

Two hundred and two neonates, ranging from 24 to 38 weeks gestation, were retrospectively studied to determine the relationship between volumes of fluid delivered and associated morbidity and mortality. Fluid intakes were calculated on a cc/kg/day basis for the first 5 days of life. Descriptive statistics were generated for each variable in the study. Identification of difference between the groups was measured with the independent t-test, chi-square test, analysis of variance and analysis of covariance. To measure differences in mortality, a chi-square test was computed and there was no significant differences between neonates receiving low and high fluid volumes (corrected chi-square = 1.26: p=0.26). The complications analyzed to assess morbidity were patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and bronco-pulmonary dysplasia (BPD). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of the PDA between groups (corrected chi-square = .069, p=0.41). There was also no difference in the occurrence of NEC (corrected chi-square = .00, p=1.0). The incidence of BPD between groups was not significant (corrected chi-square = .59, p=.044). Due to the differences in results of previous studies, the authors conclude that a prospective study should be conducted in order to better control variables in the study.