Final answer:
The infant is at greatest risk for developing dehydration due to various factors such as higher proportion of body water, inefficient body temperature regulation, higher metabolic rate, inadequate feeding, and illnesses like diarrhea and vomiting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The infant is at greatest risk for developing dehydration.
There are various factors that can contribute to dehydration in infants:
- Babies have a higher proportion of body water compared to adults, making them more vulnerable to dehydration
- Infants are unable to regulate their body temperature efficiently, which can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating
- Infants have a higher metabolic rate, which increases their fluid requirements
- Babies rely solely on breast milk or formula for their fluid intake, and inadequate feeding can result in dehydration
- Illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting can cause excessive fluid loss in infants