Paediatric Physiology

Direct extrapolation from adult data to paediatric patients is inappropriate due to the physiological challenges children present. High-quality evidence equivalent to that available for adult surgical populations is absent for paediatric IV fluid management. Plasma volume regulation, neurohormonal system maturity, and acid-base homeostasis all differ significantly across paediatric developmental stages. The immaturity of paediatric physiological systems predisposes children to more frequent hypoglycaemia and greater susceptibility to acid-base disturbances.