Dehydration In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Dehydration is the loss of body water and salts. This can happen when your child is vomiting, has diarrhea, is sweating a lot, or has a fever. Your child also may get dehydrated if he is not drinking enough liquids. Signs of mild or moderate dehydration include having a dry mouth and urinating less. Serious symptoms include having sunken eyes and no tears, being confused or tired, or having seizures.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Using oral rehydration solution:

• Ask caregivers where to get oral rehydration solution (ORS). ORS is a special drink for treating dehydration. It contains the right amounts of salt, sugar, minerals, and nutrients in water. ORS is the best oral liquid for replacing your child's body fluids.
  
  
• If your child is vomiting, give the ORS in small amounts (about 1 teaspoon) every few minutes. Ask caregivers how much and how often to give ORS to your child.
  
  
• Sports drinks are not the same as ORS. Ask caregivers if you should give sports drinks to your child.

Feeding guidelines:

• Babies who breastfeed or drink formula should continue to do so even while getting an ORS.
  
  
• If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting, ask caregivers when to start giving your child his usual foods. Ask them what foods are best to offer your child.
  
  
• Do not give your child soft drinks (soda) or fruit juices. These drinks can make your child's condition worse. Sweetened drinks may not decrease your child's thirst. They also may lead to dental cavities and obesity.

Preventing dehydration:

Offer your child liquids and keep him cool:

• The best liquid to give your baby until he is 1 year old is breast milk or formula. The best liquids to give your older child are milk and water.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how much your child should drink every day. Your child needs more liquid as he gets older. If you are breastfeeding your baby, tell your caregiver if you feel he is not breastfeeding well.
  
  
• During sports or exercise and on warm days, your child needs to drink more than usual. He may need to drink up to 8 ounces (1 cup) of water or a sports drink every 20 minutes. On hot days, limit the time your child spends outdoors. Dress your child in lightweight clothes.

• Offer him extra liquids: During illness, your child needs to drink more than usual. Babies should breastfeed more often or be given extra formula. Offer your older child more milk and water than usual. Ask caregivers what other liquids your child should drink when he is ill.
  
  
• Check his urine: Keep track of how often your child urinates. If he is urinating less than usual, give him more liquids to drink. If his urine is dark yellow, make sure he drinks more. Babies should have 4 to 6 wet diapers a day.
  
  
• As he recovers: Once your child's symptoms go away, he may need more intravenous (IV) or ORS liquids to prevent him from becoming dehydrated again. If he is still vomiting or has diarrhea, give him liquids each time he vomits or has a watery stool.

Contact your child's primary healthcare provider if:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child has vomited more than twice in the past 24 hours.
  
  
• Your child has had more than 5 loose, watery stools in the past 24 hours.
  
  
• Your child has stopped breastfeeding or drinking formula.
  
  
• Your child seems to be getting more ill or is losing weight.
  
  
• Your child is more irritable, fussy, or tired than usual.
  
  
• Your child urinates less, or his urine is dark yellow.
  
  
• Your child has a dry mouth and lips.
  
  
• Your child is not drinking the ORS or throws it up after drinking it.
  
  
• Your child becomes constipated (unable to have a stool), or his stomach gets swollen.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child will not drink or breastfeed at all.
  
  
• Your child has a very dry mouth or cries without tears.
  
  
• Your child has blood in his vomit or stool.
  
  
• Your child has a sudden muscle spasm or seems jittery.
  
  
• Your child has cold hands or feet, or his face looks pale (without color).
  
  
• Your child seems confused and is not answering you, or you cannot wake him up.
  
  
• Your child has a seizure.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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