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Dehydration
Definition
Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or a combination of both. The most common cause of dehydration in infants and children is loss through vomiting and diarrhea from a virus.
Because of their smaller body weights and higher turnover rates for water and electrolytes, infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults. The elderly and those with an illness are also at higher risk.
Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the percentage of body weight lost. When severe, dehydration is a life-threatening emergency.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Your body may lose too much fluids from:
You might not drink enough fluids because of:
Dehydration in sick children is often a combination of both -- refusing to eat or drink anything while also losing fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Dehydration Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Dehydration Symptoms & Signs
• Dehydration Prevention
• Dehydration Diagnosis & Tests
• Dehydration Treatment
• Dehydration Prognosis
• Dehydration Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Diabetes
• Pharyngitis
• Trench Mouth
• Viral Gastroenteritis
Tests & Exams
• BUN
• Capillary Nail Refill Test
• CBC
• CHEM-20
• Creatinine - Serum
• Urine Specific Gravity
Other Topics
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Diarrhea
• Electrolytes
• Intravenous
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pulse - Bounding
• Seizures
• Shock
• Skin Turgor
• Urination - Excessive Volume
Review Date : 8/21/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (3/3/2002).
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