Consumer Information

Dehydration In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Dehydration (d-hi-dray-shun) is the loss of body water and salts. Any child may get dehydrated. But it may be most serious in newborns and infants. It usually occurs because of vomiting or diarrhea. Or, your child may get dehydrated because he is not drinking enough liquids. Common signs include fever, sleepiness, urinating less often, dry mouth and skin, cracked lips, and sunken eyes. Most children can be treated at home, but a child with serious dehydration may need treatment in the hospital.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

If your child has mild to moderate dehydration, an oral rehydration solution (ORS) may be used for 24 hours. An ORS is a mixture of salt, sugar, minerals, and nutrients in water. It is the best way to correct your child's dehydration. Do not mix your own solution using salts and fluids, unless your child's caregiver tells you it is okay. Children who breastfeed may need to drink an ORS and continue to breastfeed. Many brands of ORS are available at grocery stores and drug stores. Pedialyte® and Infalyte® are examples of an ORS.
If your child is vomiting, give the ORS very slowly. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon every 1-2 minutes. Once the vomiting stops, you can slowly begin giving more ORS. You may begin giving your child bigger sips a little less often every 5 minutes. It may take a few hours after the vomiting has stopped before your child eats what he normally eats.
If there is no vomiting and your child is rehydrated, you may gradually return to your child's normal diet. It may take 12 to 24 hours or longer before your child is rehydrated. If you normally breastfeed or formula feed, you should start doing so again. If your child eats solid foods, starchy foods such as rice, bread, and fruit are a good start. You should start by giving small amounts at first. Slowly increase the amount of food, as your child feels better.
Some foods such as certain fruits, juices and cow's milk may make diarrhea worse. Ask your child's caregiver if you should stop giving these foods until the diarrhea stops.
Keep a record of how often you change your baby's diaper and how wet it is each time. If you notice your child is not urinating as much as usual, this may be a sign of dehydration. Less than 6 wet diapers a day for an infant may be a sign of mild dehydration. Less than 4 wet diapers a day for an infant may be a sign of severe dehydration. If your baby's urine is a dark yellow, this is also a sign of dehydration.
Dehydration can become very serious if it is not taken care of properly. If you think your child is dehydrated, call your child's caregiver immediately.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
Your child continues to vomit or have diarrhea. Or it lasts for more than 12 hours and your child is under 2 years old.
Your child cannot or will not drink the ORS or a regular diet.
Your child's urine is dark yellow.
Your child is urinating less or starts to have less than 4 to 6 wet diapers a day.
Your child is beginning to lose weight.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
Your child is under 6 months old and has vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of dehydration.
Your child has a very dry mouth.
Your child has dry and wrinkled skin.
Your child cries more and has no tears when he cries.
Your child is not as playful as normal and is difficult to wake up.
Your child has blood in the vomit or diarrhea.
Your child has a sunken soft spot on the top of your child's head.
Your child has sunken eyes.

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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