Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis in under 5s: diagnosis and management

Severe dehydration and shock

In rare circumstances, dehydration can be so severe that it leads to a condition known as shock. This means that there is poor blood flow to the body's tissues. If this happens, your child will appear seriously ill (for example, they may be drowsy, have pale or mottled skin, or have cold hands and feet). Usually shock can be prevented, but if it happens or a healthcare professional thinks it may happen, your child will need to go to hospital and have fluids through a drip into a vein.