Armon et al reported clinical features of dehydration in pediatric patients with gastroenteritis. The authors are from University of Nottingham, Pinderfields General Hospital and Maudsley Hospital in England.
Patient selection: pediatric patient with recent acute gastroenteritis
Parameters:
(1) percent weight loss
(2) mucuous membranes
(3) eyes
(4) tears
(5) skin turgor of abdominal skin
(6) neurologic status
(7) breathing
(8) peripheral perfusion
percent weight loss =
= ((usual body weight in kg) - (current body weight in kg)) / (usual body weight in kg) * 100
Parameter |
Mild to Moderate Dehydration |
Severe Dehydration |
percent weight loss |
3 to 8% |
>= 9% |
mucous membranes |
dry (exclude mouth breathing) |
very dry |
eyes |
sunken |
sunken |
tears |
reduced to none |
none |
skin turgor of abdominal skin by pinch test |
reduced (1 to 2 seconds to recoil) |
poor (> 2 seconds) |
neurologic status |
drowsy or irritable |
may be comatose |
breathing |
deep, acidotic |
deep |
peripheral perfusion |
may be reduced |
skin cool, mottled, pale |
circulatory collapse |
not present |
may be present |
where:
• Normal abdominal skin shows immediate recoil if pinched.
Specialty: Endocrinology, Clinical Laboratory, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care