Dehydration

Babies and children can easily suffer from dehydration because they’re more prone to childhood illnesses that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

We need to absorb enough water to maintain our body chemistry and carry waste products out of our bodies – but if your child loses fluids due to vomiting, diarrhea or fever and these lost fluids aren’t replenished, he may suffer from dehydration. This can be very serious, as severe dehydration can result in brain damage and even death. Even mild dehydration means your child will have lost essential nutrients, and his blood volume could fall dangerously low.

A baby with dehydration may have dry diapers over a long period of time or may pass dark yellow urine that smells stronger than usual. His fontanels (the soft spots on top of his head) may be sunken and he may produce no tears when crying. He’ll also be lethargic and hard to rouse. An older child may also go for eight hours plus without urinating. He may say he’s dizzy and seem drowsy, and his eyes may appear sunken.

Treatment

Call your child’s pediatrician if you suspect he’s dehydrated – she may want to see him. If you’re breastfeeding she’ll likely recommend you latch your baby on more often to boost his fluid intake; if your baby is bottlefed, she may advise that you supplement his milk feeds with a little water. She may also suggest you give your child an electrolyte solution such as Pedialite. If your child has a fever, give him a fever reducer such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Encourage your older child to drink as much water as possible (avoid milk or fruit juice, which could worsen diarrhea). Again, an electrolyte solution may be advisable. If your child is vomiting it may be difficult to keep the fluid down but be assured that some will be absorbed is better than none at all. Try giving your child sips of water from a spoon so she’s taking in small amounts all the time.

If you suspect your child is seriously dehydrated, this is a medical emergency – call 911 or take him to the ER straightaway. He may need to be given fluids intravenously until his fluid levels return to normal.

The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.