Setting flow rates for infants and children
Clinical evidence supports a dose-by-weight approach with suggested flow rates of approximately 2 liters per kilogram per minute (L/kg/min) for infants between 3.0 and 12.5 kilograms.4,7-12
However, there is no evidence to support this practice for preterm neonates, older children or adults. Published clinical protocols may give guidance to setting flow rates in children.7-12 The graphic below summarizes the findings from published literature.
7-12Published clinical protocols may give guidance in setting flows for infants between 10-12.5kg (purple).
4,7-12There is sufficient clinical evidence that supports flow rates of 2 L/kg/min (blue) for infants between 3-12.5kg.