A 6-month-old infant with severe dehydration (estimated 10% dehydration) secondary to acute gastroenteritis is brought in. Weight is 7 kg. Using the Holliday-Segar method, what is the total 24-hour maintenance fluid requirement for this infant?

• A 700 mL/day ✓
• B 500 mL/day
• C 840 mL/day
• D 1000 mL/day

Explanation

Using the Holliday-Segar method: for the first 10 kg, the requirement is 100 mL/kg/day. For a 7 kg infant: 7 × 100 = 700 mL/day. This is the maintenance requirement only; deficit replacement must be calculated separately (10% of 7 kg = 700 mL deficit) and added over 24 hours (minus resuscitation fluids already given). Total fluid over 24 hours would therefore be maintenance (700 mL) + deficit minus boluses.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.