Complications of excessive operative fluid administration in children receiving steroids for inflammatory bowel disease.

Twenty-five adolescents receiving chronic steroid therapy for inflammatory bowel disease underwent major intestinal surgery and each experienced vasodilation during induction of anesthesia. Systemic hypotension occurred in each patient and was treated by large volumes of intravenous crystalloid solution which caused intraoperative and postoperative water retention with resultant hypertension as well as occasional pulmonary edema and seizures. Ten adolescents who did not receive steroids and who underwent similar operations had higher urine outputs during and immediately after surgery, but did not experience these complications. Intravenous fluid administration in excess of maintenance requirements and calculated fluid losses should be given with caution to children receiving high-dose steroids who undergo major intestinal surgery. Perioperative fluid retention under those circumstances may be best treated with early diuretic administration.