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: