Two common IV fluids perform equally well for treating septic shock in kids

Article excerpt

A multinational trial across 47 pediatric emergency departments found that two standard IV fluids, balanced crystalloid and 0.9% saline, work equally well for treating septic shock in children. The randomized clinical trial, conducted in five countries and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, tested both fluids in real emergency settings. The findings suggest doctors can use either option without worry about safety or effectiveness, potentially simplifying treatment decisions when every minute counts in pediatric septic shock cases.