Dehydration Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Dec 07, 2018
  • Author: Lennox H Huang, MD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Timothy E Corden, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Important considerations

It is important for clinicians to recognize and appropriately treat the following:

  • The underlying cause for dehydration (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA], diabetes insipidus, pyloric stenosis)

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Severe hyponatremia or hypernatremia

  • An acute abdomen

  • An inadequate volume administration (too slow, not enough) for the child with severe dehydration

  • Cardiogenic shock (gallop rhythm, hepatomegaly): Note that rapid fluid resuscitation may further impair cardiac output. Reassessment following fluid administration may reveal any untoward physiologic result.

  • Other causes of shock (eg, sepsis, anaphylaxis)

Differential Diagnoses