Gorelick scale for assessing dehydration in children
Last reviewed 01/2018
the Gorelick scale for dehydartion
Used in children between 1 month and 5 years (1)
characteristic |
no or minimal dehydration |
moderate to severe dehydration |
general appearance |
alert |
restless, lethargic, unconscious |
capillary refill |
normal |
prolonged or minimal |
tears |
present |
absent |
mucous membrane |
moist |
dry, very dry |
eyes |
normal |
sunken; deeply sunken |
breathing |
present |
deep; deep and rapid |
quality of pulses |
normal |
thready; weak or impalpable |
skin elasticity |
instant recoil |
recoil slowly; recoil > 2 s |
heart rate |
normal |
tachycardia |
urine output |
normal |
reduced; not passed in many hours |
Scoring:
- 4 point scale (italics)
- >= 2 Clinical Signs (4 pt) >= 5% body weight from baseline
- >= 3 Clinical Signs (4 pt) >= 10% body weight from baseline
- 10 point scale (all signs/symptoms)
- >= 3 Clinical Signs >=5% body weight from baseline
- >= 7 Clinical Signs >=10% body weight from baseline (1)
Reference: