Do critical pediatric patients need maintenance fluids?

The question seems to have an easy answer: Do critically ill pediatric patients need maintenance fluids? However, there is no consensus on the type of fluids or the need for them. Fluid administration and management is a cornerstone of pediatric intensive care. Many critically ill patients receive large volumes of fluid as part of their initial resuscitation and throughout their critical illness. This can lead to deleterious multisystem effects and possible fluid overload.