Assessment of severity of dehydration (if in doubt err by overestimating % dehydration) B
| No dehydration (less than 3% weight loss) | Mild-moderate dehydration (3-8% weight loss) (ordered by increasing severity) | Severe dehydration (⩾9% weight loss) |
|---|---|---|
| No signs | Dry mucous membranes (be wary in the mouth breather) | Increasingly marked signs from the mild–moderate group plus: |
| Sunken eyes (and minimal or no tears) | Decreased peripheral perfusion (cool/mottled/pale peripheries; capillary refill time >2 sec) | |
| Diminished skin turgor (pinch test 1–2 sec) | Circulatory collapse | |
| Altered neurological status (drowsiness, irritability) | ||
| Deep (acidotic) breathing |
Signs are ordered in each column by severity.
If a pre-illness accurate weight is available, calculate deficit from weight loss.
Pinch test: Pinch skin of abdomen. Skin recoils instantly = normal, 1–2 sec = mild–moderate, >2 sec = severe.