Evaluation of WHO criteria to determine degree of dehydration in children with acute diarrhea

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and agreement between the 1980 and 1990 WHO criteria for determining the degree of dehydration in children with acute diarrhea. Methods This prospective study was conducted in two hospitals from October 2002 to February 2003. Clinical signs of dehydration all patients were recorded. The degree of dehydration based on the 1980 and 1990 WHO criteria was determined and compared with fluid deficit measured by the difference of body weight on admission and on discharge. Chi-square test and kappa value analyses were performed. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of each WHO criteria were assessed. The prevalence of dehydration was also determined. Results Sixty-five patients, comprising 40 boys and 25 girls, were studied. There was a significant difference between the two WHO criteria in differentiating between dehydration and non-dehydration (P 0.05). Conclusion Both WHO criteria can be applied to determine dehydration in patients with acute diarrhea, although we feel that the 1990 criteria is simpler [Paediatr Indones 2005;45:76-80].