After the Spring Festival, the weather gradually warmed up, and the annual peak of colds is here again, especially for children. When a baby has a cold, they often want to go to the hospital immediately for intravenous infusion. So, under what circumstances is intravenous infusion necessary?
[When is intravenous infusion necessary?]
Doctors make comprehensive judgments and decide whether or not to administer intravenous infusion based on the child's condition, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and the trend of the disease.
The following are common situations in outpatient clinics where intravenous infusion is needed:
1. The child has a high fever, the blood test shows a significant increase in white blood cells, and oral antibiotics are not effective;
2. Diagnosis of bacterial or mycoplasma bronchitis or pneumonia;
3. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by vomiting and diarrhea, or severe vomiting that prevents the child from drinking water;
4. The child is listless, irritable, and needs to be observed in the hospital, etc.
[The hazards of intravenous infusion for babies]
1. Lowering the baby's immunity
After a long period of intravenous infusion, the baby's body becomes dependent on medication, to the point that even a common cold with a runny nose can gradually lead to fever. This is mainly because the baby's immunity has become lower.
2. Harmful to health
Since the drugs administered intravenously in pediatrics are mostly antibiotics, random intravenous infusion is equivalent to the abuse of antibiotics. Many parents only know that antibiotics can reduce inflammation but are unaware of the side effects. While antibiotics kill or inhibit pathogenic viruses, they also suppress or kill normal flora, causing an imbalance in flora and resulting in allergic reactions, liver damage, kidney damage, and even aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemia. In addition, the misuse of antibiotics for fever and influenza can lead to bacterial resistance. Once a child develops a more serious illness, there may not be appropriate antibiotics available.
[Precautions for intravenous infusion for babies]
1. Do not adjust the infusion rate randomly
During the process of intravenous infusion, parents should pay attention to whether the fluid is dripping smoothly. The rate at which the fluid drops is determined by the doctor based on the baby's condition and the nature of the medication. Parents should not adjust it randomly, as either a fast or slow rate is not beneficial for the baby. Of course, sometimes the infusion may be hindered due to the twisting or compression of the infusion tube, improper fixation of the needle, or the hanging position of the infusion bottle. These situations require careful attention from parents.
2. Timely replacement of medication or removal of the needle
When the baby's intravenous infusion is about to be completed or when one bottle is finished and needs to be replaced, it is important to promptly request the nurse to replace the medication or remove the needle to avoid the risk of air entering. After removing the needle, lightly press the site with a disinfection cotton swab or cotton ball for a few minutes. If there is no bleeding, it is fine. Be careful not to rub the area to avoid bruising.
3. Pay attention to the child's condition
Do not relax your vigilance when the baby is receiving intravenous infusion. During the weighing process and several hours after the infusion, especially when using a certain medication for the first time, pay special attention to whether the child's mental state is normal, and check if the child has any discomfort, pain, or signs of medication allergy, such as irritability, crying, feeling cold, or shivering. If any of these symptoms occur, immediately seek medical attention.
