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💧 DHAKA Score (Pediatric Dehydration)

UseWhen to use: under-5 diarrhea when choosing ORS vs IV rehydration intensity.

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Strata0–1 none; 2–3 some; ≥4 severe.

LimitsWhen not to use: non-diarrheal shock alone. · Pitfall: over-reading skin pinch in marasmus. · Not a sole IV access mandate.

SourceDHAKA score (Levine et al.)

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Scene next step
📋fluid nutritionOpen scene pack →
Related scores
Matching pathway
🧭ped_dehydrationOpen pathway →
Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

Four signs.

When to use

When to use: under-5 diarrhea when choosing ORS vs IV rehydration intensity.

How it works

Appearance 0/2/4 + deep respirations +2 + skin pinch 0/2/4 + tears 0/1/2.

Key points

  • Four signs.
  • Cuts 2 and 4.
  • Next: WHO plan A/B/C.

References

  • DHAKA score (Levine et al.)

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

General appearanceRestless/irritable (+2)
RespirationsNormal (0)
Skin pinchSlow (+2)
TearsDecreased (+1)

→DHAKA5/12

  • Severity：≥4 — severe dehydration
General appearanceNormal (0)
RespirationsNormal (0)
Skin pinchNormal (0)
TearsNormal (0)

→DHAKA0/12

  • Severity：0–1 — no dehydration
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does DHAKA Score (Pediatric Dehydration) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is DHAKA Score (Pediatric Dehydration) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: General appearance Restless/irritable (+2), Respirations Normal (0), Skin pinch Slow (+2), Tears Decreased (+1) → Result: DHAKA 5 /12（Severity: ≥4 — severe dehydration） Inputs: General appearance Normal (0), Respirations Normal (0), Skin pinch Normal (0), Tears Normal (0) → Result: DHAKA 0 /12（Severity: 0–1 — no dehydration）
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