Albumin versus normal saline for dehydrated term infants with metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea

Objective: To compare the efficacy of albumin to normal saline (NS) for initial hydration therapy for dehydrated term infants with severe metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea. Study Design: We randomized 33 infants presenting with moderate-to-severe dehydration and metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.25 or base excess (BE) <-15) into two groups, an albumin group (n = 15) and a NS group (n = 18). For initial hydration treatment, the albumin group received 5% albumin (10mlkg^-1), whereas the NS group received NS (10 ml kg^-1). Result: After 3h of treatment, both groups improved. However, the magnitude of improvement in the pH, BE and HCO₃^- levels were not different in comparisons between these two groups. In addition, there were no differences either in the body weight and weight gain 4 days after treatment or in the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Albumin was not more effective than NS for initial hydration treatment of dehydrated term infants with metabolic acidosis due to acute diarrhea.