Source: www.
healthcentral.com
Definition:
The lack of adequate body fluids for the body to carry on normal functions at an
optimal level (by loss, inadequate intake, or a combination of both). Losses of
only a few percent in an adult and up to 5% in infants are considered mild
dehydration.
Causes:
Dehydration can be caused by excessive loss of water from the body as in:
Dehydration can also occur from inadequate intake as in:
Dehydration in
children is most often a combination of both as in:
- stomach flu with vomiting and diarrhea
- acute illness where the child refuses fluids and loses excessive fluid
- through sweating with fever
Fluid losses up to 5% are considered
mild; up to 10% are considered
moderate;
and up to 15% are considered
severe. Severe dehydration can result in
cardiovascular collapse and
death if not treated quickly.
Prevention:
Parents should consider the possibility of dehydration developing any time their
child is ill. If you believe that dehydration is developing, they should consult the
health care provider before the child becomes moderately or severely
dehydrated. A few simple measures may prevent the development of severe
dehydration.
Always provide adequate fluids during an illness, and pay attention to both the
intake and output of fluid. For infants and young children, specific solutions
(such as Pedialyte) are available that provide the right amount of electrolytes to
prevent derangements of serum chemistries.
Symptoms:
- excessive loss of fluid through vomiting or excessive, urine, stools or
sweating
- poor intake of fluids
- sunken eyes
- markedly sunken fontanelles in an infant
- dry or sticky mucus membranes in the mouth
- the skin may lack its normal elasticity and sag back into position slowly
when pinched up into a fold (poor skin turgor)
- decreased or absent urine output (oliguria or anuria)
- decreased tears