A Novel Use of Long-Term Subcutaneous Hydration Therapy for a Pediatric Patient With Intestinal Failure and Chronic Dehydration: A Case Report

Taylor Wheaton; Christine Schlichting; Swetha Madhavarapu; Monica L Koncicki

doi:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000350

A Novel Use of Long-Term Subcutaneous Hydration Therapy for a Pediatric Patient With Intestinal Failure and Chronic Dehydration: A Case Report

J Infus Nurs. 2020 Jan/Feb;43(1):20-22. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000350.

Authors

Taylor Wheaton^{1

2

3

4

5}, Christine Schlichting^{1

2

3

4

5}, Swetha Madhavarapu^{1

2

3

4

5}, Monica L Koncicki^{1

2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Wheaton); St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Section of Critical Care, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Drs Schlichting, Koncicki, and Madhavarapu); and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Drs Schlichting, Koncicki, and Madhavarapu).
² Taylor Wheaton, MD, FAAP, is a cardiac intensive care fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She was previously a pediatric intensive care fellow at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
³ Christine Schlichting, MD, is a pediatric critical care attending physician at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and an associate professor of anesthesia at Drexel University College of Medicine.
⁴ Swetha Madhavarapu, MD, FAAP, is a pediatric critical care attending physician at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and assistant professor of pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine. She is chairperson of St. Christopher's Code Committee and teaches simulation scenarios for improving clinical care and team communication skills.
⁵ Monica L. Koncicki, MD, FAAP, is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine, as well as a pediatric critical care attending physician and associate fellowship program director at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. She has a special interest in the management of chronically, critically ill children.

PMID: 31876770
DOI: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000350

Abstract

Long-term subcutaneous hydration has not been described in pediatrics. A case of a 4-year-old born prematurely with subsequent intestinal failure, large vessel thrombi, and repeated central line-associated bloodstream infections prompting catheter removal is discussed. Chronic dehydration ensued and was managed with long-term subcutaneous fluid infusions with no serious complications.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Child, Preschool
Dehydration / therapy*
Humans
Hypodermoclysis*
Intestinal Diseases*
Male
Pediatrics*
Premature Birth
Time Factors