RI Hospital finds dehydration scales not accurate for determining dehydration levels in children
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - 10:00
in Psychology & Sociology
A physician team from Rhode Island Hospital led a study to evaluate the accuracy of the commonly used dehydration scales as they apply to children in a low-income country. Based on their experience in Rwanda, the researchers determined that none of the three scales were accurate predictors of severe dehydration in children with diarrhea and/or vomiting. The team calls for further research to develop and validate new clinical scales with greater accuracy for use in low-income countries. Their findings are published in the International Journal of Emergency Medicine.