What may indicate that a child is experiencing severe dehydration?

The indication of severe dehydration in a child frequently manifests as dry skin and mucous membranes. This symptom occurs because, during dehydration, the body's fluid levels drop, leading to reduced moisture in the skin and oral tissues. Dry skin may feel less elastic and lack the usual smoothness, while mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth, can appear dry and sticky.

In cases of severe dehydration, the body prioritizes critical functions, leading to the shunting of fluids away from non-essential areas, further contributing to these physical signs. Other common indicators of significant dehydration in children can include lethargy, decreased urine output, and increased heart rate, none of which would be present in a child with stable vital signs or those demonstrating normal bodily functions like frequent urination and increased salivation. These latter signs would typically suggest well-hydrated status rather than the impending or existing state of severe dehydration.