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Paul R. Earl
| Biológicas
Facultad de Ciencias
pearl@dsi.uanl.mx
Dehydration or volume depletion is classified as
mild, moderate or severe based on how much body
fluid is lost. When severe, dehydration is a life-
threatening emergency. Volume depletion denotes
lessening of the total intravascular plasma, whereas
dehydration denotes loss of plasma-free water
disproportionate to the loss of sodium. Potassium and
other electrolytes including buffers líke phosphates
need to be considered. Children, especially those
younger than 4 years old, are more susceptible to
volume depletion as a result of vomiting, diarrhea or
increases in insensible water losses.
Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not
drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and
diarrhea are common causes.
Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate or severe
based on how much body's fluid is lost. Symtons include:
Dry or sticky mouth.
Dizziness.
Low or no urine output; concentrated urine is dark yellow.
Not producing tears.
Sunken eyes.
Markedly sunken fontanelles (the soft spot on the top of the
head in a baby).
Lethargic or comatose.
In addition to the symptoms of actual dehydration, you may
also have:
– vomiting and
– diarrhea.
Drinking fluids is usually sufficient for mild dehydration. It is
better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a
teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child) rather than trying
to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too
much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.
Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are especially
effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sport drinks
contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In
infants and children, avoid using water as the primary
replacement fluid.
Intravenous fluids and hospitalization may be necessary for
moderate to severe dehydration. The doctor will try to identify
and then treat the cause of the dehydration.
Treatment includes starting NS@20ml/kg slow push until
signs of severe dehydration disappear. Avoid Ringer Lactate
till patient passes urine. Maintainence fluid depends on body
weight. Either DNS or RL may be used 10kg and less
100ml/Kg 10-20 Kg 1000mL+50ml/kg 20+ Kg 1500ml+ 20
ml/kg It may be advisable to give half the calculated fluid in
the first 8 hours and the remaining over the next 16 hours
Precautions
check for pulmonary oedema replenish Potassium as
required Chills may occur due to fluid administration rule out
infectious causes
Most cases of stomach viruses (also called viral gastroenteritis)
tend to resolve on their own after a few days.
Boxers under hot lights sip water, then usually spit it out. They
don`t seem to know that that water could save them from a
coma during heat prostration!
Pathophysiology
Frequency
United States
Clinical History
Fontanelle
Normal Slightly sunken Deeply sunken
s
Skin turgor Instant recoil Recoil <2 seconds Recoil >2 seconds
Capillary
<2 seconds Prolonged Minimal
refill
Tachycardia or
Heart rate Normal Normal to increased
bradycardia
Normal to Weak, thready,
Quality of pulse Normal
decreased impalpable
Tachypnea and
Breathing Normal Normal to increased
hyperpnea
Eyes Normal Slightly sunken Deeply sunken
Fontanelles Normal Slightly sunken Deeply sunken
Normal to
Tears Normal Absent
decreased
Mucous
Moist Dry Parched
membranes
Instant
Skin turgor Recoil <2 seconds Recoil >2 seconds
recoil