PEDIATRICS Vol. 25 No. 1 January 1960, pp. 169-170
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Letters to the Editor

MALCOLM A. HOLLIDAY M.D.

A recent letter to the editor by Talbot and Ritchie, again raising certain objections to methods other than surface area as a means of estimating fluid requirements, prompts this reply. The estimation of fluid requirements from any index must be founded on a certain amount of empiricism. The desirable features of a system should include simplicity and yet incorporate means for dealing with exceptions. Ideally it should relate to the factors that actually determine the need. Body weight has long been used as an index successfully, although a sliding scale is required, for direct relation between body weight and water requirement does not exist.