The dehydration percentage is calculated to determine the extent of fluid loss in a person. This is crucial for assessing the severity of dehydration and guiding rehydration strategies.
Formula for Dehydration Percentage
The formula to calculate dehydration percentage is:
*Dehydration Percentage = [(Pre-illness Weight - Illness Weight) / Pre-illness Weight] 100**
Explanation:
- Pre-illness Weight: This is the individual's weight before the onset of illness or the event leading to dehydration.
- Illness Weight: This is the individual's current weight during the illness or dehydration.
- The difference between the pre-illness and illness weights represents the weight lost due to fluid loss.
- Dividing this weight difference by the pre-illness weight gives the proportion of weight lost.
- Multiplying by 100 converts this proportion to a percentage.
Example
According to the reference material, a 10-kg patient who has lost 1 kg is 10% dehydrated. Here's how this is calculated:
Dehydration Percentage = [(10 kg - 9 kg) / 10 kg] 100 = (1 kg / 10 kg) 100 = 10%
Practical Insight
Every 1 kg of weight lost is equivalent to 1 L of fluid loss. Therefore, monitoring weight changes can be a valuable tool in assessing and managing dehydration.
Summary
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-illness Weight | Weight before dehydration |
| Illness Weight | Weight during dehydration |
| Calculation Formula | [(Pre-illness Weight - Illness Weight) / Pre-illness Weight] * 100 |
| 1 kg Weight Loss | Equivalent to 1 L of fluid loss, helpful in estimating fluid deficit in liters. |
