SCANT URINE OUTPUT - In the majority of cases, a decline in urine production is the result of dehydration. In some cases decreasing urine production can be evidence for kidney failure. When is urine output considered to be scant? In general, any adult or child who is urinating less than three times per day, or fails to urinate once within an 8 hour waking period meets the criteria for "scant." In the infant this may be expressed as less than 3 wet diapers produced in a 24-hour period.