Exam

Clinical Dehydration Scale

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Clinical Dehydration Scale

  • Indications
  1. Dehydration evaluation in children ages 1 to 36 months
  • Criteria
  1. Appearance
    1. Score 0: Normal
    2. Score 1: Thirsty, restless or lethargic; irritable when touched
    3. Score 2: Drowsy to comatose, limp, cold, sweaty
  2. Eyes
    1. Score 0: Normal
    2. Score 1: Slightly sunken
    3. Score 2: Very sunken
  3. Mucous Membranes
    1. Score 0: Moist
    2. Score 1: Sticky
    3. Score 2: Dry
  4. Tears
    1. Score 0: Normal tears
    2. Score 1: Decreased tear
    3. Score 2: Absent tears
  • Interpretation
  1. Score 0
    1. No Dehydration (or <3%)
  2. Score 1 to 4 points
    1. Mild Dehydration (3 to 6%)
  3. Score 5 to 8 points
    1. Moderate to severe Dehydration (>6%)