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Dehydration

Definition:

Dehydration means the body does not have enough fluids to function at an optimal level. Dehydration can be caused by fluid loss (through vomiting, diarrhea or excessive urination), inadequate intake, or a combination of both. The most common cause of dehydration in infants and children is acute gastroenteritis, with its associated vomiting and diarrhea.

Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the percentage of body weight lost during the acute illness: Depending on age,

  • Mild dehydration -- a loss of 3-5% of body weight
  • Moderate dehydration -- a loss of 6-10% of body weight
  • Severe dehydration -- a loss of more than 9-15% of body weight. This is a life-threatening emergency!


Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Because of their smaller body weights and higher turnover rates for water and electrolytes, infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults. Causes of dehydration include excessive fluid losses, inadequate fluid intake, or a combination of these factors.

Causes of acute fluid loss include:

Dehydration can also occur from inadequate intake as in: Dehydration in children is most often a combination of both as in:
  • gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea
  • acute illness where the child refuses fluids and loses excessive fluid through sweating with fever


Review Date: 3/3/2002
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (3/3/2002). Previously reviewed by Jonathan Fanaroff, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/25/2001).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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