[Acute dehydration in children].

The acute loss of fluids and electrolytes in children can result in critical situations of emergency. Infants and young children are at particular risk for these events. The main cause of dehydration in this age group is acute diarrheal disease. A careful history and the clinical signs allow an approximative estimation of the severity of the fluid loss. The type of dehydration is determined by the measurement of the sodium concentration in blood. The isonatremia type is the most common one and is present in 70% of all children with dehydration. The fluid therapy consists in restoring the deficits of water and electrolytes, in covering the basic needs and in replacing the continuing losses. The oral rehydration with appropriate glucose-electrolytes solutions, which are commercially available, is very effective in mild and moderate dehydration. This method allows a rapid rehydration and will markedly reduce the number of hospitalizations; furthermore, a prompt refeeding (realimentation) within 24 hours is possible. The parenteral rehydration for certain moderate and for severe forms is reserved to treatment in a hospital or an emergency department. The practical proceeding of both types of rehydration is described.