Table 1

"4-item 8-point rating scale" clinical dehydration scale [12].

Score

Characteristic

0

1

2

General appearance

Normal

Thirsty, restless or lethargic but irritable when touched

Drowsy, limp, cold, or sweathy; comatose or not

Eyes

Normal

Slightly sunken

Very sunken

Mucous membranes (tongue)

Moist

Sticky

Dry

Tears

Tears

Decreased tears

Absent tears

The score consists of 4 clinical items, which may be summed for a total score ranging from 0 to 8. The final 3 categories are no or minimal dehydration (< 3%; score of 0), mild dehydration (3% to < 6% dehydration; score of 1--4), and moderate to severe dehydration (≥ 10% dehydration; score of 5--8).

Bianchetti et al. Italian Journal of Pediatrics 2009 35:36   doi:10.1186/1824-7288-35-36