Accuracy of Clinical Dehydration Scales in Children with Diarrhea
Author Information
Author(s): Kimberly Pringle, Sachita P. Shah, Irenee Umulisa, Richard B. Mark Munyaneza, Jean Marie Dushimiyimana, Katrina Stegmann, Juvenal Musavuli, Protegene Ngabitsinze, Sarah Stulac, Adam C. Levine
Primary Institution: Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Alpert Medical School
Hypothesis
Can the WHO scale, Gorelick scale, and Clinical Dehydration Scale accurately assess dehydration status in children in a low-income country?
Conclusion
The WHO scale, Gorelick scale, and CDS did not provide an accurate assessment of dehydration status in children when used by general physicians and nurses in a developing world setting.
Supporting Evidence
- Only the Clinical Dehydration Scale has been validated against a gold standard in North America.
- Children in the study had a mean percent dehydration of 5% on arrival.
- 29% of children presented with severe dehydration.
Takeaway
Doctors and nurses in Rwanda used three different scales to check if kids with diarrhea were dehydrated, but none of the scales worked well.
Methodology
Children presenting with diarrhea and/or vomiting were weighed and assessed using three dehydration scales, with results compared to percent weight change after rehydration.
Potential Biases
The sample may not represent all children with diarrhea, as only those admitted to the hospital were included.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was based on a convenience sample, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Children less than 15 years old presenting to three district hospitals in Rwanda.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.39-0.78
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website