Intravenous fluids are fluids which are intended to be administered to a patient intravenously, directly through the circulatory system. These fluids must be sterile to protect patients from injury, and there are a number of different types available for use. Many companies manufacture packaged intravenous fluids, as well as products which can be mixed with sterile water to prepare a solution for intravenous administration.
Intravenous fluids can be broken into two broad groups. Crystalloids such as saline solutions contain a solution of molecules which can dissolve in water. When crystalloids are administered, they tend to create low osmotic pressure, allowing fluid to move across the blood vessels, and this can be linked with edema. Colloids contain particles which are not soluble in water, and they create high osmotic pressure, attracting fluid into the blood vessels. Blood is an example of a commonly administered intravenous colloid.
There are four main ranges of application of highly specialized intravenous infusion solutions:
· Treatment of discarded water and electrolyte metabolism, especially in severe cases.
· Therapy of acid base in balances.
· The volume substitution and volume replacement in surgery of accident victim suffering blood loss.
· Paratral nutrition for severally ill and post-operative patients.
The global intravenous solutions market size is expected to reach USD 18.9 billion by 2028, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2021 to 2028. The growing incidence rate of chronic diseases such as cancer, increase in the number of premature births, and shortage of I.V. solutions in the U.S. are some of the key factors expected to drive the market.
One of the prime areas wherein intravenous (IV) fluids find usage is severe dehydration. Severe dehydration is seen in diseases such as diarrhea, resulting in the depletion of fluids from the body. According to the WHO, in 2017, diarrhea was the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age with around 5,25,000 lives lost each year. Intravenous (IV) fluids can play a key role in the treatment and prevention of deaths caused due to the dehydration/fluid loss associated with diarrhea. Other cases where intravenous fluids find application include surgeries and emergency situations.
