Laboratory Measures

There is a lack of good quality evidence for the use of laboratory measures in the assessment of dehydration [12] and in differentiating between viral and bacterial aetiology [1].

Blood biochemistry should not be carried out routinely.

Consider measuring laboratory U&Es, venous blood gas and blood glucose if:

  • Starting intravenous rehydration
  • Hypernatraemic dehydration is suspected
  • The child is severely dehydrated / clinically shocked

The child is mild to moderately dehydrated but the examination findings are not consistent with gastroenteritis as the cause