Patient selection: 1 month to 5 years, with diarrhea, vomiting or poor oral fluid intake
Parameters:
(1) skin elasticity
(2) respiration
(3) eyes
(4) urine output
(5) radial pulse
(6) heart rate in beats per minute
(7) general appearance
(8) capillary refill in seconds
(9) tears
(10) mucous membranes
|
Parameter
|
Finding
|
Points
|
|
skin elasticity
|
instant recoil
|
0
|
|
|
decreased or slow
|
1
|
|
respiration
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
deep and/or rapid
|
1
|
|
eyes
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
sunken
|
1
|
|
urine output
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
reduced or absent
|
1
|
|
radial pulse
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
abnormal (thready, weak or impalpable)
|
1
|
|
heart rate
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
tachycardia (heart rate > 150)
|
1
|
|
general appearance
|
alert
|
0
|
|
|
restless, lethargic, unconscious
|
1
|
|
capillary refill in seconds
|
normal
|
0
|
|
|
prolonged (> 2 seconds) or minimal
|
1
|
|
tears
|
present
|
0
|
|
|
absent
|
1
|
|
mucous membranes
|
moist
|
0
|
|
|
dry
|
1
|
number of findings seen in moderate or severe dehydration =
= SUM(points for all 10 parameters)
4 item subscore =
= SUM(points for items 7 to 10)
Interpretation:
• minimum total score: 0
• maximum total score: 0
• minimum 4 item subscore: 0
• maximum 4 item subscore: 4
• The higher the score the more likely the patient is significantly dehydrated.
• A total score >= 3 was associated with a water deficit of at least 5%.
• A 4 item subscore of >= 2 is associated with a water deficit of at least 5%.
The performance of the 4-item subscore was comparable for the 10-item score.
