Urine output and hypovolemic shock: What is the target urine output for pediatric patients?

• A. 1 ml/kg/hr
• B. 0.5 ml/kg/hr
• C. 2 ml/kg/hr
• D. 3 ml/kg/hr

Answer: (A)

In pediatric shock, urine output is a practical indicator of adequate perfusion to the kidneys and overall circulating volume. The target for children is about 1 mL per kilogram of body weight per hour. This means a child weighing, for example, 20 kg should produce around 20 mL of urine each hour to suggest good renal perfusion and overall tissue perfusion during resuscitation. If urine output remains below this despite fluid optimization, it prompts reevaluation for ongoing hypoperfusion or evolving renal injury. Targets like 0.5 mL/kg/hr are too low to reliably reflect adequate perfusion in children, while 2–3 mL/kg/hr would exceed typical goals and could indicate unnecessary fluid administration or risk of overload.