A standard practice of pediatric intensive care is to give intravenous fluids and medication through an infusion device. These devices guarantee the constant and accurate delivery of the pre-established volume within a given period. They also help to maintain the viability and patency of catheters such as central lines, pulmonary artery catheters, or arterial pressure lines.

In addition to the infusion device, a fluid reservoir should ensure the accurate recording of infused fluids. This type of receptacle is available in different sizes for patients of different ages. The five types of infusion devices are controller, multiple-rate programmable pump, dual- or multiple-channel pump, syringe pump, and computer-controlled infusion pump (Table 439.1).