Dehydration

Younger children have a higher fluid requirement due to their:

• Higher body composition of water – 80% in neonates, 70% in infants

• Higher body surface area to body mass ratio – Increased loss through skin and increased susceptibility to environmental temperature changes

• Higher metabolic rate

• Higher respiratory loss

• Kidney immaturity

• Decreased thirst sensitivity – learnt behaviour

Dehydration in children presents as:

• Dry nappies

• Dry mouth, lips and eyes

• Tachypnoea

• Drowsiness

• Sunken fontanelle – this is a sign of severe dehydration in newborns