Summary: dehydration

In this section we have looked at the common causes for dehydration in children, what things we need to get from the history in order to help us decided on the possible cause, and what treatment options are available.

We have looked in a little more detail at the particular problem of DKA and how it is important to understand what is actually happening in this condition in order to give the correct treatment from a fluid point of view. We have also discussed the potential complications of overzealous fluid administration in DKA and the general ethos that oral rehydration is the preferred option in may other common childhood illnesses.