HOW TO ASSESS DIARRHOEA IN CHILD

Assess all children with diarrhea for the following signs of dehydration:  

1)General condition When a child becomes dehydrated, he or she is at first restless and irritable. If dehydration continues, the child becomes lethargic or unconscious (this is also a general danger sign)

2)Sunken eyes

3)Thirst

4)Reaction to skin pinch

1)HOW TO ASSESS SUNKEN EYES IN CHILD

As the child's body loses fluids, the eyes may look sunken.

    Decide if you think the eyes are sunken.
    Then ask the mother if she thinks her child's eyes look unusual. Her opinion helps you confirm that the child's eyes are sunken.

2)HOW TO CHECK THIRST OF CHILD HAVING DIARRHOEA

OFFER the child fluid
    Is the child not able to drink?
    Is the child drinking poorly?
    Is the child drinking eagerly, thirsty?

A child is not able to drink if he or she is not able to take fluid in his or her mouth and swallow it. For example, a child may not be able to drink because he or she is lethargic or unconscious

 A child is drinking poorly if he or she is weak and cannot drink without help. The child may be able to swallow only if fluid is put in his or her mouth.A child has the sign drinking eagerly, thirsty if it is clear that the child wants to drink. Notice if the child reaches out for the cup or spoon when you offer him or her water. When the water is taken away, see if the child is unhappy because he or she wants to drink more. If the child takes a drink only with encouragement and does not want to drink more, he or she does not have the sign "drinking eagerly, thirsty."

   

                                                                              

3)HOW TO CHECK SKIN PINCH IN CHILD HAVING DIARRHOEA

Ask the mother to place the child on the examining table so that the child is flat on his or her back with arms at sides (not over head) and legs straight. Or ask the mother to hold the child so he or she is lying flat in her lap.

Locate the area on the child's abdomen halfway between the umbilicus and the side of the abdomen.To do the skin pinch, use your thumb and first finger. Do not use your fingertips because this will cause pain.

Place your hand so that when you pinch the skin, the fold of skin will be in a line up and down the child's body and not across the child's body.Firmly pick up all of the layers of skin and the tissue under them.Pinch the skin for one second and then release it. When you release the skin, look to see if the skin pinch goes back:
    very slowly (longer than 2 seconds)
    slowly (skin stays up even for a brief instant)
    immediately

4)HOW TO ASSESS DEHYDRATION IN CHILD