clinical features of dehydration
Last reviewed 01/2018
Signs and symptoms of dehydration have poor sensitivity and specificity.
- factors with sensitivity >80% - dry mucous membranes in the mouth and nose and longitudinal furrows on the tongue.
- factors with specificity >80% - speech incoherence, extremity weakness, dry axilla and sunken eyes (1).
The clinical features of dehydration are caused by the water loss from the two compartments, for example:
- loss of tissue turgor results from depletion of the intracellular pool
- hypotension results from depletion of the extracellular pool
The clinical features of mild-to-moderate and severe dehydration are given below:
- mild-to-moderate
- dry, sticky mouth
- sleepiness or tiredness
- thirst
- decreased urine output
- few or no tears when crying
- muscle weakness
- headache
- dizziness or light-headedness
- severe dehydration
- extreme thirst
- extreme fussiness or sleepiness in infants and children; irritability and confusion in adults
- very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes
- lack of sweating
- little or no urination—any urine that is produced will be dark yellow or amber
- sunken eyes
- shrivelled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and does not ‘bounce back’ when pinched into a fold
- low blood pressure
- tachycardia
- delirium or unconsciousness (1)
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