Colloid Solution Pregnancy: C

Human Albumin Solution (Burns)

Brand names: Human Albumin 5%, Human Albumin 20%, Albuminar

Adult dose

Dose: Major burns resuscitation: colloid phase (from 8h after burn): 0.5–1 mL/kg/%TBSA of 5% albumin over 8–24h

Route: intravenous infusion

Frequency: titrated to haemodynamic response

Max: Titrated to clinical response and albumin levels

Parkland formula: 4 mL/kg/%TBSA crystalloid in 24h; albumin added in second 8h or when serum albumin <25 g/L; target albumin >25 g/L

Paediatric dose

Dose: 0.5 g/kg

Route: IV infusion

Frequency: titrated to serum albumin

Max: 2 g/kg/day

Concentration: 5% (50 g/L), 20% (200 g/L), 25% (250 g/L) solutions g/ml

Burns: use 5% for volume replacement; 20–25% for hypoalbuminaemia; neonates: 0.5–1 g/kg over 2–4h

Dose adjustments

Renal

No dose adjustment required; monitor fluid balance closely

Hepatic

Often indicated in hepatic failure for low albumin

Paediatric weight-based calculator

Patient weight (kg)

Burns: use 5% for volume replacement; 20–25% for hypoalbuminaemia; neonates: 0.5–1 g/kg over 2–4h

Clinical pearls

Burns resuscitation: Parkland formula first 8h = 2 mL/kg/%TBSA crystalloid; colloid added after 8h reduces total fluid requirements
Human albumin manufactured from donated plasma — infectious risk minimal but exists
Target urine output 0.5–1 mL/kg/h in adults; 1 mL/kg/h in children as guide to adequate resuscitation

Contraindications

Severe anaemia (without blood products)
Cardiac failure (caution — volume overload)
IgA deficiency (IgA antibodies in albumin — anaphylaxis)

Side effects

Volume overload
Electrolyte disturbances
Fever
Allergic reactions
Pulmonary oedema

Interactions

Aminoglycosides (binding reduces free drug levels)
Warfarin (protein binding competition)

Monitoring

Serum albumin (daily in burns)
Fluid balance
Electrolytes
Urine output
Respiratory status

Reference: BNFc; BNF 86; BBA burns fluid resuscitation guidelines; Parkland formula. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators