Clinical Reference Tables

Evidence-based reference tables for clinical dehydration assessment, scoring, oral rehydration solution composition, and sports drink comparison. For use alongside the PRhehydrate calculator.

1 Severity of Dehydration Signs & symptoms by category

Sign / Symptom	Minimal or No Dehydration <3% body weight loss; 3%–5% fluid deficit	Mild to Moderate Dehydration 3%–9% body weight loss; 6%–9% fluid deficit	Severe Dehydration >9% body weight loss; >10% fluid deficit
Mental status	Well; alert	Normal, fatigued, or restless, irritable	Apathetic, lethargic, unconscious
Thirst	Drinks normally; might refuse liquids	Thirsty; eager to drink	Drinks poorly; unable to drink
Heart rate	Normal	Normal to increased	Tachycardia, with bradycardia in severe cases
Quality of pulses	Normal	Normal to decreased	Weak, thready, or impalpable
Breathing	Normal	Normal; fast	Deep
Eyes	Normal	Slightly sunken	Deeply sunken
Tears	Present	Decreased	Absent
Mouth and tongue	Moist	Dry	Parched
Skin fold	Instant recoil	Recoil in <2 s	Recoil in >2 s
Capillary refill	Normal (<3 s)	Prolonged	Prolonged; minimal
Extremities	Warm	Cool	Cold; mottled; cyanotic
Urine output	Normal to decreased	Decreased	Minimal

Source: CDC / AAP dehydration assessment framework.

2 Clinical Dehydration Scale (Goldman) Scoring criteria and interpretation

Characteristic	0	1	2
General appearance	Normal	Thirsty, restless, or lethargic but irritable when touched	Drowsy, limp, cold or sweaty ± comatose
Eyes	Normal	Slightly sunken	Extremely sunken
Mucus membrane	Moist	Sticky	Dry
Tears	Present	Decreased	Absent

Total Score	Interpretation
0	No dehydration
1–4	Some dehydration
5–8	Moderate to severe dehydration

Source: Goldman RD et al. Pediatrics 2008;122(3):545–549.

3 ORS Comparison Composition of common oral rehydration solutions

ORS Product	Carbs (g/L)	Na⁺ (mEq/L)	K⁺ (mEq/L)	Cl⁻ (mEq/L)	HCO₃⁻ (mEq/L)	Osmolarity (mOsm/L)
WHO Standard (2002)	13.5	75	20	65	30	245
Pedialyte	25	45	20	35	30	250
Ceralyte	40	70	20	60	10	235
Enfalyte	30	50	25	45	30	200
Rehydra-Lyte	25	75	20	65	30	305

The WHO low-osmolarity formula (245 mOsm/L) is the default in PRhehydrate. The ESPGHAN option (Na⁺ 60 mEq/L, ~200–250 mOsm/L) can be selected under Institution settings.

Source: WHO. The Treatment of Diarrhoea (4th ed.); Guarino A et al. JPGN 2014.

4 Sports Drinks Comparison Nutritional composition per serving

Brand	Serving	Cal	Carbs (g)	% Carb	Sugars (g)	Na (mg)	K (mg)	Other Key Ingredients
Gatorade Thirst Quencher	12 fl oz	80	22	6%	21	160	50	Electrolytes, natural flavor
Powerade	12 fl oz	80	21	5.9%	21	240	80	Vitamins C, B12, calcium, magnesium
BodyArmor Lyte^a	12 fl oz	15	11	4%	2	30	680	Coconut water, vitamins B3, B5, B6, etc
Propel Water	12 fl oz	0	0	0%	0	160	40	Vitamins B6, C, E, niacin, pantothenic acid
Vitaminwater	20 fl oz	100	26	6.5%	26	0	60	Vitamins B, C, E
Nuun Sport^b	16 fl oz	15	4	1%	1	300	150	Magnesium, calcium
Powerade Zero	12 fl oz	0	0	0%	0	240	80	Vitamins B12, C, calcium, magnesium
Pedialyte Classic	12 fl oz	25	7	3%	5	390	280	Zinc, chloride 440 mg, zinc 2.8 mg
Skratch Labs Sport^c	16 fl oz	80	19	7%	17	370	35	Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium
Ultima Replenisher^d	16 fl oz	0	0	0%	0	55	250	Ca 47 mg, Mg 100 mg, Zn 1 mg, Cl 78 mg, Mn 0.2 mg, vitamin C 100 mg

BodyArmor Lyte — serving size (12 oz) from website; nutrition label did not specify which size.
Nuun Sport — product supplied as a dissolvable tablet.
Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix — product supplied as a powder mixture.
Ultima Replenisher — composition reported per scoop.

Source: Manufacturer nutrition labels; data as published.