Hypotonic vs isotonic saline solutions for intravenous fluid management of acute infections (2024)

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Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003 Jul; 2003(3): CD004169.

Published online 2003 Jul 21. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004169.pub2

PMCID: PMC6986696

PMID: 15106241

Monitoring Editor: Trevor Duke, Asish Mathur, Renata H Kukuruzovic, Michael McGuigan, and Cochrane Injuries Group

Royal Children's Hospital, Paediatrics, Flemington Rd, Parkville, MelbourneVictoriaAustralia, 3052

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, c/o Cochrane Injuries Group, LondonUK

Unversity of Melbourne, Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, 4th Floor, Front Building, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, MelbourneVictoriaAustralia, 3052

Winthrop‐University Hospital, Long Island Regional Poison & Drug Information Center, 259 First Street, Mineola, New YorkUSA, 11501

Trevor Duke, Email: ua.ude.bleminu.hcr.citpyrc@tekud.

Author information Copyright and License information PMC Disclaimer

This article is an update of with doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004169.

Abstract

Background

Hypotonic saline (such as 0.18−0.3% NaCl with dextrose) is commonly used as maintenance fluid in the management of acute infections. In recent years there have been numerous reports of hypotonic saline solutions being associated with adverse outcomes. To reduce the rates of adverse outcomes, use of isotonic saline as maintenance fluid has been proposed.

Objectives

To assess adverse events and benefits associated with infusion of hypotonic saline compared with isotonic saline solutions in the management of acute infections.

Search methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Current Controlled Trials and the Specialised Register of the Injuries Group.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials comparing hypotonic saline to isotonic saline in the management of acute infections.

Data collection and analysis

Three reviewers independently evaluated all potentially relevant articles, examined each study for possible inclusion and assessed the methodology quality using the Cochrane guidelines.

Main results

No trials met our inclusion criteria.

Authors' conclusions

Although there is ample evidence elsewhere that administration of large volumes of hypotonic fluids has led to severe hyponatraemia and adverse neurological outcomes in many patients with a variety of medical and surgical conditions, we found no randomised controlled trials investigating whether use of isotonic saline as maintenance fluid in those who require intravenous fluid would a be safer alternative. Careful research with adequate design and sample sizes is needed to evaluate the benefits and safety of using isotonic saline as maintenance fluid in a variety of acute clinical conditions.

Plain language summary

No evidence so far to support use of isotonic saline as a maintenance fluid instead of hypotonic saline

It is common practice to give intravenous (i.v.) fluids to patients with serious acute infections but there is no agreement as to what the sodium concentration of these fluids should be. Doctors have traditionally used intravenous fluid that contains a lower sodium concentration than is found normally in human serum; this is known as hypotonic saline. However, as patients with severe infections often have low sodium levels and adverse effects sometimes occur with the use of large amounts of hypotonic saline, it has been proposed to use intravenous fluids that have a sodium concentration similar to that of a healthy person − isotonic saline. This review has been unable to find any data from randomised trials that establish which is best.

Background

Severe pneumonia, bronchiolitis, meningitis, malaria and septicaemia are common causes of hospital admission and mortality. Standard treatment for most such infections includes antibiotics or antimalarials, oxygen if hypoxaemia is present, fluids and nutrition. It is a common practice in hospitals to give intravenous fluids to patients with these serious acute infections. Appropriate indications include: poor tolerance of enteral fluids, risk of pulmonary aspiration (such as severe respiratory distress or poor conscious state), correction of deficits of hydration, and to maintain electrolyte balance.

There is widespread agreement among clinicians that, for resuscitation of severe hypovolaemia, boluses of isotonic saline (either 0.9% sodium chloride [0.9% NaCl or often called 'normal' saline], or albumin in saline) should be used initially. The optimal composition and volume of intravenous fluid given to seriously ill patients after initial correction of hypovolaemia, to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance during the acute illness, remains uncertain. Many patients with these serious acute infections have hyponatraemia (serum Na <130 mmol/L) at the time of presentation and many have increased antidiuretic hormone levels (Dhawan 1992; Fajardo 1989; Dixon 1988; Fryatt 1989; Kaplan 1978; Little 1975; Patwari 1995; Reynolds 1972; Rivers 1981; Shann 1985; Sharples 1992; Freidrich 1994; Miller 1967; English 1996). Many routinely receive a hypotonic intravenous solution (for example 0.18‐0.3%NaCl, or occasionally even 5% dextrose with no sodium) at usual maintenance volumes (Winters 1973). When given in maintenance volumes, 0.18% NaCl (one‐fifth normal saline) provides the daily sodium requirements for a well person (2−3mmol/kg/day). However, as many acutely ill patients have reduced renal water excretion, the excess free water administered may exacerbate hyponatraemia. Progressive hyponatraemia and excess free water may result in intracellular water accumulation; the most worrying effects of this are seizures, brain swelling and herniation (Halberthal 2001).

An alternative approach to fluid management aims to avoid accumulation of excess body water and development or progression of hyponatraemia. Near isotonic saline solutions (e.g. 0.9% NaCl + dextrose, or Hartmann's solution) at volumes that take account of reduced free water excretion in serious illness may achieve these aims. In serious acute infections, and in common surgical conditions, there is impaired renal free water excretion, due to increased ADH activity. ADH is also secreted in response to other non‐osmotic stimuli that are common in acute illness such as nausea and vomiting. Giving isotonic saline and no electrolyte‐free water will reduce the risk of exacerbating hyponatraemia (Halberthal 2001). As this approach provides greater sodium (7mmol per kilogram per day if half‐traditional maintenance volumes are given as 0.9% NaCl), there may be a risk of salt and water accumulation. The safety of this approach needs to be evaluated in a variety of conditions. Although this strategy may be optimal for a majority of serious acute infections, there may be some associated conditions where it is unwise, such as severe malnutrition, congestive heart failure or renal impairment. In these conditions, the ability to handle a salt load is impaired and the risk of cardiac failure is considerable. In many hospitals in resource‐poor countries, it is not possible to measure serum electrolytes or glucose routinely, so strategies for fluid management need to be empirical and proven to be safe.

Objectives

The objective of this review is to assess whether infusion of intravenous hypotonic or isotonic saline solutions lead to different outcomes in the management of acute infections. The outcomes of interest include derangements of serum sodium, seizures, cerebral oedema, fluid overload, case fatality rates for specific conditions and neurological sequelae.

Methods

Criteria for considering studies for this review

Types of studies

Randomised controlled trials comparing:

hypotonic saline solutions (0.45% NaCl or less, such as 0.18% or 0.3% NaCl) with
isotonic saline solutions (e.g. 0.9% NaCl or Hartmann's solution).

We searched for suitable trials that addressed the management of acute infections, such as meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, malaria and bronchiolitis. Studies were included if they if they were designed to evaluate differences in the above clinical or biochemical outcomes, where at least 50% of the normal maintenance fluid volume requirements were given as intravenous fluid for 24 hours or more.

Types of participants

Patients with serious acute infections: meningitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, septicaemia and severe malaria. The review excluded trials in gastroenteritis, where intravenous fluid is given for replacement of existing volume deficits, and trials in premature infants, where renal salt and water handling is different to that of mature individuals.

Types of interventions

Studies where patients had received 50% or more of their daily fluid requirements as intravenous fluid, either as a hypotonic (e.g. one‐fifth or one‐third normal saline) or as isotonic solutions (e.g. normal saline).

Types of outcome measures

Studies measuring differences between treatment groups with regard to the following.

Acute clinical and biochemical outcomes.

These included the following.

1) Progressive hyponatraemia or hypernatraemia associated with:

seizures
cerebral oedema
brain herniation
death
other acute neurological deterioration, while patients were receiving intravenous fluids.

2) Fluid overload, the definitions of which may include oedema of the face or body or generalised oedema, substantial weight gain or signs of pulmonary oedema.

Case fatality rates.

Long‐term neurological sequelae.

Search methods for identification of studies

Electronic searches

We searched:

Data collection and analysis

Results of all the searches were printed and photocopied. Three reviewers (AM, TD, RK) independently searched titles, abstracts and descriptions of all the studies identified by the electronic search. Abstracts of all potentially relevant articles were copied. Each reviewer independently examined every study, applying inclusion/ exclusion criteria. An emphasis was placed on selecting RCTs directly comparing isotonic saline with hypotonic saline, when used as a maintenance fluid in the management of acute infections. Non‐randomised trials were excluded. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. While selecting the studies, we also focused on the method of randomisation, the use of allocation concealment, the use of blinding, the assessment of outcomes and exclusion of participants after randomisation.

Results

Description of studies

We found no randomised trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies (Singhi 1995; Powell 1990; Duke 2002; Neville 2003) were short‐listed and examined in detail. Two studies (Singhi 1995; Duke 2002) compared two regimens of different fluid volumes, one used hypotonic saline in both the arms of the trial (Singhi 1995), and the other used 0.45% NaCl in one arm and nasogastric enteral feeds in the other (Duke 2002). One study (Singhi 1995) was terminated after enrolling 50 patients because of a trend towards a poor outcome in the patient group receiving restricted fluid volumes. However, this study was not designed to compare the effect of different fluid composition. Of the other remaining two studies, one (Powell 1990) randomised subjects to the volume of fluids, but did not specify to treating clinicians what the content of fluids should be; therefore patients received hypotonic or isotonic fluid on the basis of clinician preference. This study had a small sample size (n = 19).

On study, which is currently published in abstract only (Neville 2003), compared hypotonic saline with isotonic saline in gastroenteritis. This condition has been excluded from the list of acute infections considered for this review. Although this study does not address the conditions relevant to this review a pertinent finding was that, despite giving 0.9% NaCl with dextrose in volumes required for rehydration, hypernatraemia did not occur.

The reasons discussed above have led to the exclusion of these studies from this review.

Risk of bias in included studies

No trials included.

Effects of interventions

Not applicable.

Discussion

Randomised trials directly comparing hypotonic saline with isotonic saline as maintenance fluids in the management of acute infections could not be identified in the search. The trials identified by the search strategy (Powell 1990; Singhi 1995; Duke 2002) compared volumes of fluids rather than composition. One trial that came to our attention during the review process (Neville 2003) compared hypotonic saline with isotonic saline in gastroenteritis, but this condition was excluded from the review.

There is considerable clinical observational data suggesting an association between hypotonic saline and adverse outcomes in certain conditions. In addition, there is biological plausibility that giving large volumes of hypotonic saline to patients with reduced free‐water excretion will lead to hyponatraemia. However, there is currently no randomised trial evidence to determine whether isotonic saline is a better maintenance fluid than hypotonic saline.

In the absence of randomised trials of adequate size, we could not assess relative adverse events and benefits associated with infusion of hypotonic saline or isotonic saline solutions.

In the absence of randomised trials, enough data could not be generated to asses adverse events and benefits associated with infusion of hypotonic saline compared to isotonic saline solutions. This suggests a need of randomised trial evidence which will be beneficial for deciding whether isotonic saline is a better maintenance fluid than hypotonic saline in the management of acute infections or not.

Authors' conclusions

Implications for practice

The limited evidence highlighted by this review indicates that, despite strong theoretical evidence elsewhere that hypotonic intravenous fluids carry substantial risks in many seriously ill patients, the safety of using an isotonic saline as maintenance fluid has not been fully established either, at least in a direct comparison with hypotonic solutions. In maintenance fluid management there are two major issues: (1) fluid composition (in this context the amount of sodium), and (2) the fluid volume that is administered. To maintain isovolaemia most seriously ill patients, after correction of volume deficits, have reduced fluid requirements because of high antidiuretic hormone levels. Large intravenous hypotonic fluid volumes in patients with impaired free‐water excretion will carry a risk of hyponatraemia. Therefore, patients with serious infections who are requiring maintenance i.v. fluids after initial resuscitation may be least prone to major sodium imbalance if they were given isotonic saline (plus dextrose) in volumes that take account of impaired free water excretion. Currently, however, there is inadequate evidence that this strategy for fluid management will result in important differences in the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes.

Implications for research

Given the large numbers of hospitalised patients throughout the world who receive intravenous maintenance fluids, further research should be encouraged in this field. The use of isotonic saline as maintenance fluid should be evaluated in controlled trials.

It would be valuable to test the hypothesis that: isotonic saline (with 5% dextrose) at less than standard 'maintenance volumes' will result in a lower incidence of hyponatraemia, seizures and adverse neurological events than hypotonic saline solutions (0.18−0.3% saline) in acutely unwell patients with serious infections.

Ideal testing of the hypothesis would involve a large randomised controlled trial of hypotonic versus isotonic saline in the management of serious infections. However, we think it would be unethical to include some infections in such a trial. This applies particularly to encephalitis and meningitis, where there is already strong theoretical evidence and clinical experience of harm from using hypotonic intravenous fluid, especially at or near maintenance volumes, and where there is a higher risk of cerebral oedema and adverse outcomes if hyponatraemia occurs. An alternative approach in hospitals where hypotonic fluids are the routine standard of care would be to change the policy such that isotonic saline becomes the standard background intravenous fluid, and to carefully audit the change. Although not as robust as an RCT, this would allow for a detailed before and after analysis. Outcomes could include differences in the proportions of patients who suffer neurological events associated with progressive hyponatraemia. Evaluation of safety could include differences in the frequency of severe hypernatraemia, the occurrence of neurological complications associated with rapidly rising serum sodium, or fluid retention.

What's new

Date	Event	Description
11 July 2008	Amended	Converted to new review format.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne librarians Cathy Gatt and Poh Chua for their valuable support and guidance in designing and conducting the electronic search for this review.

We wish to thank Professor Ian Roberts (Coordinating Editor), Paul Chinnock (Managing Editor) and Katharine Ker (Review Group Coordinator) of Cochrane Injuries Group for their assistance and support during the preparation of this review.

Appendices

Appendix 1. Search strategy

The following strategy was used to search the Cochrane database:
1. meningitis
2. sepsis or septicaemia
3. pneumonia
4. Bronchiolitis
5. malaria
6. 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5
7. intravenous fluids: me (explode mesh term)
8. intravenous infusions: me (explode mesh term)
9. 7 or 8
10. 6 and 9.

The following strategy was used to search MEDLINE (Ovid).

1. randomized controlled trial.pt.
2. randomized controlled trials/
3. random allocation/
4. controlled clinical trial.pt.
5. clinical trial.pt.
6. follow up studies/
7. exp evaluation studies/
8. prospective studies/
9. retrospective studies/
10. comparative studies/
11. cross sectional studies/
12. or/1‐11
13. fluid therapy/
14. fluid therap$.mp.
15. exp infusions, intravenous/
16. ((iv or intravenous) and infusions$).mp.
17. isotonic solutions/
18. hypotonic solutions/
19. or/13‐18
20. exp meningitis/
21. meningitis.mp.
22. exp meningoencephalitis/
23. exp sepsis/
24. septic$.mp.
25. exp pneumonia/
26. pneumoni$.mp.
27. exp bronchitis/
28. Bronchopneumonia/
29. exp bronchiolitis/ or bronchiolitis obliterans/ or bronchiolitis, viral/
30. exp malaria/
31. or/20‐30
32. 12 and 19 and 31

The following strategy was used to search EMBASE

Set description
1 RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
2 RANDOMIZATION
3 CONTROLLED STUDY!
4 EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE!
5 CLINICAL TRIAL!
6 CLIN? (5W) TRIAL?
7 ((SINGL? OR DOUBL? OR TREBL? OR TRIPL?) (5W) (BLIND? OF MASK?))
8 ((SINGL? OR DOUBL? OR TREBL? OR TRIPL?) (5W) (BLIND? OR MASK?))
9 PLACEBOS
10 PLACEBO?
11 RANDOM?
12 METHODOLOGY
13 COMPARATIVE STUDY!
14 EVALUATION AND FOLLOW UP
15 PROSPECTIVE STUDY
16 CONTROL? OR PROSPECTIV? OR VOLUNTEER?
17 S1 OR S2 OR S3 OR S4 OR S5 OR S6 OR S8 OR S9 OR S10 OR
S11 OR S12 OR S13 OR S14 OR S15 OR S16
18 MENINGITIS!
19 SEPSIS
20 SEPTIC?
21 PNEUMONIA!
22 MALARIA!
23 BRONCHIOLITIS
24 BRONCHITIS!
25 BRONCHOPNEUMONIA
26 S18 OR S19 OR S20 OR S21 OR S22 OR S23 OR S24 OR S25
27 HYPONATREMIA
28 (HYPONATREMI? OR HYPONATRAEMI? OR HYPONATRIAEMI? OR HYPONATRIEMI?)
29 HYPERNATREMIA
30 (HYPERNATREMI? OR HYPERNATRIAEMI? OR HYPERNATRIEMI? OR HYPERNATRAEMI?)
31 FLUID THERAPY!
32 INTRAVENOUS DRUG ADMINISTRATION?
33 S27 OR S28 OR S29 OR S30 OR S31 OR S32
34 S17 AND S26 AND 33

Notes

Edited (no change to conclusions)

Characteristics of studies

Characteristics of excluded studies [ordered by study ID]

Study	Reason for exclusion
Duke 2002	The study did not compare the content of fluids given to the patients i.e. hypotonic or isotonic. Patients in both the groups received a hypotonic solution either as nasogastric feed or intravenous infusion.
Neville 2003	Abstract only. The trial was comparing fluids in the management of gastroenteritis. The fluids were given in this study as re‐hydration fluids and not as maintenance volumes.
Powell 1990	The patients were randomized to the volumes of fluids and not the content i.e. hypotonic or isotonic. The methodological quality of the trial was poor in that it did not specify which group of patients received hypotonic or isotonic saline and therefore the results could be subject to bias.
Singhi 1995	Randomization was done on the basis of fluid volumes and not the content. Patients in both the groups received a hypotonic saline.

Contributions of authors

Asish Mathur and Trevor Duke conceived the idea, designed and coordinated the review along with screening search results, retrieval of papers, screening retrieved papers against inclusion criteria, appraising quality of papers, methodological perspective, data entry into RevMan, analysis of data, clinical perspective and writing of the Review.

Renata Kukuruzovic contributed in screening search results, retrieval of papers, screening retrieved papers against inclusion criteria, appraising quality of papers, methodological perspective and writing of the Review.

Mike South: Clinical perspective

Declarations of interest

None known.

References

References to studies excluded from this review

Duke 2002 {published data only}

Duke T, Mokela D, Frank D, Michael A, Paulo T, Mgone J, Kurubi J. Management of meningitis in children with oral fluid restriction or intravenous fluid at maintenance volumes: a randomised trial. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics 2002;22(2):145‐57. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Neville 2003 {published data only}

Neville K, O' Meara M, Verge C, Walker J. Normal saline (NS) is better than half normal saline (N/2) for rehydration of children with gastroenteritis (GE). Royal Australian College of Physicians Annual Scientific Meeting, Hobart, Australia, 26‐28 May 2003. 2003.

Powell 1990 {published data only}

Powell KR, Sugarman LI, Eskenazi AE, Woodin KA, Kays MA, McCormick KL, Miller ME, Sladeck CD. Normalization of plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations when children with meningitis are given maintenance plus replacement fluid therapy. Journal of Pediatrics 1990;117(4):515‐22. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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