Paediatrics
Holliday-Segar Fluid Requirement
Daily maintenance fluid calculation for children.
Holliday-Segar Fluid Requirement calculator
Result
63mL/hour
1500 mL/day maintenance
4-2-1 rule: 4 mL/kg/h for first 10 kg, 2 for next 10 kg, 1 for remaining kg.
How to use it
- 1
100/50/20 rule (per day). 0–10 kg: 100 mL/kg/day. 10–20 kg: add 50 mL/kg/day. > 20 kg: add 20 mL/kg/day.
- 2
4-2-1 rule (per hour). Divide by 24 or use: 4/2/1 mL/kg/h for each weight band.
- 3
Adjust for deficits and ongoing losses. Vomiting, diarrhoea, pyrexia: add replacement on top of maintenance.
When to use it
- Paediatric IV fluid prescription
- Isotonic fluid (0.9% NaCl or Hartmann) preferred over 0.45% to avoid hyponatraemia.
- Nil by mouth perioperatively
- Maintain IV maintenance during prolonged fasting.
- Fluid resuscitation (not maintenance)
- Shock: 10–20 mL/kg bolus crystalloid, repeated as needed — separate from maintenance.
A reference for clinicians and students, not medical advice. A score supports a decision; it does not make one. Check every result against the patient in front of you and your local protocol.
At a glance
- Specialty
- Paediatrics
- Inputs
- 1
- Type
- Formula
