Dehydration

Dehydration

• Dehydration is a depletion in total body fluids.
• Dehydration is first reflected in a diminution of blood volume - hypovolaemia.
  • The blood becomes hypertonic or hyperosmotic.
  • Fluid is withdrawn from the interstitial compartment.
• If the dehydration continues, water is drawn from the cells.
  • Cellular dehydration impairs metabolic function, and death ensues.

Causes

• Either:
  • Decreased intake due to lack of availability of water.
  • increased losses via
    • The skin (sweating)
    • The gut (diarrhoea)
    • The kidney (Renal disease).

Post-Mortem Appearance

• Post-mortem appearance is not dramatic.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • The body tissues appear dry.
  • The serosal surfaces are dull.