Diarrhea in Children (Part 2): Simple Assessment of Hydration Status
April 2nd 2011 03:42
The WHO deviced a way to categorize children suffering from diarrhea. They are the following:
TYPE A
-no dehydration, passing out of watery stool more than 3 x in 24 hours but no signs and symptoms of dehydration
TYPE B
-some (mild/moderate) dehydration
-severe loss of fluids and electrolytes
Let us dig deeper...What are the common features of children under category A? A patient having no dehydration is alert. Eyes are normal, meaning not sunken nor dry. Tears present when the child cries. Mouth and tongue are moist. The child does not show sign of excessive thirst. We can try pinching the skin over the tummy. While ore fingers apply pressure on the skin, the skin normally becomes pale. Upon release of the pressure, we expect that redness on the area goes back quickly.
Category B patients are restless and irritable. They have sunken eyes. Their tears maybe absent. their mouth and tongue are dry. They appear to be thirsty, thus drinking eagerly. Redness goes back slower upon realease of pinch.
Category C patients maybe lethargic, unconscious, or floppy. Their eyes are very sunken. They have very dry eyes, mouth, and tongue. They drink poorly. Skin pinch test are significanlty abnormal.
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