What does a capillary refill time of 2-4 seconds indicate?

A capillary refill time of 2-4 seconds is generally indicative of moderate dehydration in children. In a healthy child, capillary refill time is usually less than 2 seconds. When the time extends to 2-4 seconds, it signifies that there may be reduced perfusion due to decreased blood volume that often occurs with dehydration.

Moderate dehydration could cause symptoms such as dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, and lethargy. It is critical to recognize that while slightly prolonged capillary refill may not fall into the severe category, it still indicates that the child is not adequately hydrated and may require intervention to prevent further dehydration and associated complications.

In contrast, a capillary refill time that is 5 seconds or longer would suggest severe dehydration, while a normal timeframe of less than 2 seconds would indicate no dehydration or mild dehydration depending on other clinical signs and symptoms present.