In which children is the risk of dehydration the highest?

• A. School-age children
• B. Infants and toddlers
• C. Adolescents
• D. Children with chronic illnesses

Answer: (B)

Infants and toddlers are at the highest risk of dehydration due to several physiological and developmental factors. Their body surface area relative to their volume is higher compared to older children, making them lose fluids more rapidly through the skin. Additionally, they have a higher metabolic rate, which leads to greater fluid loss through urine and respiration.

Moreover, infants and toddlers have less reserve fluid and are not always capable of communicating their thirst or recognizing the need for additional fluid intake. This age group is also more susceptible to gastrointestinal illnesses, such as diarrhea and vomiting, which can exacerbate dehydration. Their immature kidneys may not effectively conserve water, further increasing their vulnerability to fluid loss during illness or lack of adequate hydration.

In contrast, school-age children and adolescents are generally more resilient with better compensatory mechanisms for fluid balance, while children with chronic illnesses can vary in risk depending on their specific conditions but do not universally exhibit the same high risk associated with young children.