The younger the child, the greater the risk that fluid and electrolyte losses will lead to dehydration. The type of dehydration-isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic-is independent of the causative organism. Fluid losses resulting from diarrhea and vomiting can be as high as three times the circulating blood volume (80-125-250 mL per kg body weight per day). In order to keep the blood volume constant, the body extracts fluid from the intracellular space, leading to dehydration. Complications and hospitalization can usually be prevented by the early and adequate oral administration of a rehydration solution (glucose-electrolyte solution) and normal food for the child's age.