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Child DehydrationMay cause chronic disorders, stunt growth, affect learningIdentify, prevent and treat this form of pediatric dehydration easily and naturally. Child dehydration may lead to disorders from asthma, allergy, school problems and slowed growth. This page will discuss symptoms, prevention, dangers and treatment of a certain type of pediatric dehydration - dehydration occurring in childhood. While child dehydration could lead to serious health problems, it is not as likely to result in death as it is in infancy. Regardless, to assure proper development keep your child is properly hydrated. On this page, children are assumed to be older than toddlers, up to puberty, approximately 5 - 13 years of age. For discussion of dehydration in other age groups, scroll down for links.
A particular child's water needs varies depending on size, activity and age. Dehydration in children can be especially serious as growth and development depend on the child having adequate nutrients, calories and water. Causes of child dehydration• Fever is a cause and symptom of dehydration in children. Pain when swallowing could be eased by children's acetaminophen.• Overheating could lead to child dehydration. Overexertion, spending too much time in hot room leads to sweating and water loss. Provide more water and electrolyte drinks during hot weather, or if he's involved in sports or other physical activities. • Diarrhea can lead to water loss. Avoid very sugary liquids, including fruit juice. It takes water to rid the body of the sugar in juice. Don't provide over-the-counter anti-diarrheals unless your physician recommends it. Encourage your child to drink more and include water. If your child is becoming dehydrated, offer an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte. • Vomiting due to viruses and intestinal infections. Not keeping liquids down can lead to child dehydration. Give small amounts of fluid frequently. Start with a few tablespoons every ten minutes. If he's able to hold down this liquid for an hour, double the amount, wait 15 minutes between drinks. Electrolyte drinks are good for children who are vomiting. Ice pops and ice chips are good too. • Refuses to drink? A sore throat or other pain-inducing condition can discourage your child to drink. Provide children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain or discomfort, and then offer him a favorite drink frequently and in small quantities. Cold liquids or ice pops may be taken in easily. Citrus drinks, though, like orange juice and grapefruit juice may sting and burn the irritated tissues of his throat. Symptoms of dehydration in children*Hard stools*Fever *Decreased appetite *Rapid heartbeat *Dark, yellow urine *Dry lips and mouth *Crying without tears Treat at home or consult doctor. Severe dehydration symptoms *Sunken eyes *Cold hands and feet *Dizziness *Sleepiness *Irritability *Grayish skin The above may be life-threatening and demands an immediate trip to the emergency room.
Mild dehydration can be easily corrected at home. Moderate dehydration points to need for consultation with doctor. Severe dehydration - transport child to the emergency room ASAP. Preventing pediatric dehydration in childrenThe old adage, "prevention is the best cure" applies. Here are some easy steps you could take to prevent dehydration in children.*Offer fluid, especially water *Be more vigilant about encouraging drinking on warm days *If activity level is high or child is sweating *If suffering from dehydrating symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, offer more liquids *Check for sore throat if your child is refusing to eat and drink *Encourage your child to drink water for health and to learn to appreciate the taste of water. *In school make sure child has access to water and is encouraged to drink water. Correcting or treating child dehydrationFor mild dehydration offer water. Cool water may encourage your child to drink more. Ice chunks may also encourage water consumption.Can offer electrolyte like Pedialyte. Can also make your own, healthier, more convenient, economical substitute. Electrolyte substitute to correct child dehydration 1 quart of safe, healthy water (click on navigation bar "Water Filters" for recommendations on water filters.) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 3 tbls sugar Adult sports drinks should be avoided due to high sugar concentrate. Balance liquids - give diluted juices, water and electrolyte drinks. If child is eating properly, encourage her to drink water. If child is not eating well, encourage her to drink electrolyte drink to assure she has adequate minerals.
This may occur if child has not been offered water as an older infant and beyond. Encourage child to drink water. Model it yourself. Good for you and good for your child. Offer increasingly diluted juice. Week one, 20% water, week 2, 30% water and so on. Here's a technique that works - Offer only water, even if just a few ounces, when your child is very thirsty. Afterward, child could have a glass of juice. Your child will start to connect thirst quenching with water, just water. How much water should children drink? Your child should drink between a quart to one and a half quarts of water a day. On the higher end if your child is older, bigger and/or more active. Note: Don't count other fluids as water. Your toddler may get some water from a flavored liquids, juices and food but much of that water will be needed to eliminate what's in the fluid or to digest the food. Also, when dehydration sets in, avoid cow's milk, salty broths, sodas, juices and gelatins. The available water in them is not sufficient to prevent, much less correct, child dehydration. Finally, problems of contaminants in water may be more pressing for your child than for adults. It would be of little value and even dangerous, to offer water if the water is of low quality.
Click here to go from child dehydration to information about the best and most economical water filters. To visit topic of pediatric dehydration (birth to 19), click here . Infant dehydration - 1 to 5 years of age Toddler dehydration - 5 to 13 years of age Teen dehydration - 13 to 19 years of age
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Dehydration in children occurs when the child does not have enough fluids to meet basic physical needs specific to the particular phase the child is in. 
Child doesn't like to drink water?