Non-invasive Assessment of the Current State of Hydration in Children by Ultrasound

Overview

Children with clinical signs of severe dehydration will be examined by ultrasound in a supine position during admission. Children aged between 1 and 15years will be divided into three weight groups: 10-20kg, 20-30kg, 30-50kg. Early after admission 1st measurement of diameters of vena cava inferior (VCImax, VCImin) during breathing cycles and diameters of both venae jugulares (VJI dx max, min, VJI sin max, min) before and after passive leg raise maneuver will be recorded. After a defined fluid infusion within 60 minutes, a second examination will be evaluated and compared with the first one. The investigators considered also echocardiography to measure CO changes however they wanted to make it as simple as it might be at emergency during the night shift without an experienced cardiologist.

Only children admitted to the hospital with clinically detectable dehydration (weight loss, dry skin, sunken eyes, no tears) will be evaluated. Weight, noninvasive blood pressure measurement, pulse rate will be recorded. Measurements would be performed with an ultrasound probe with a low frequency (2-5 MHz), a curved array transducer will be used. In the supine position, the ultrasound probe will be placed in the substernal area, in the longitudinal and transversal plane, 1 cm caudal to the confluence of the hepatic veins, and it will be operated in M-mode. The largest (VCImax) and smallest (VCImin) diameters will be measured and the collapsibility index will be calculated (according to the formula: VCImax - VCI min / VCI max x100). Immediately after this examination measurement of the right VJImax, min and the left VJImax, min will be measured again in the supine position, then after passive leg raise (lifting the lower limbs 45st. for at least 1minute ) VJImax, min. and left VJImax, min will be measured. The collapsibility index for right and left VJI would be calculated according to the formula: VJImax - VJI min / VJI max x100. After a defined fluid infusion (20ml/kg, but the maximum volume will be limited to 500ml, this means that over 25kg weight we would apply not more than 500ml) within 60 minutes. A control examination of VCI, right VJI, and left VJI will be evaluated the same way as first and compared with the previous one.