About this topic
Dehydration happens when your child loses too much fluid and water from the body. Your childs body needs water. It also needs other elements called electrolytes. Your child must have the right amount of both of these for the body to be able to work normally. Your child loses some fluids each day. This happens through sweat, urine, bowel movements, and breathing. If the water is not replaced, your child can become dehydrated. This may be a serious health problem. ‚
Dehydration is more common in babies and younger children than in adults. There are many ways to get the right amount of fluids in your child's body. The best way is to make sure they do not lose too much fluid and become dehydrated. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Have your child try to drink small amounts of fluid each 15 to 30 minutes. Try giving 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquids at a time. Raise the amount as your child is able to handle it.
- For the first 24 hours, have your child drink clear fluids such as water or the oral rehydration solution (ORS) prescribed by your doctor. This will help your child replace the fluids, salts, and sugars in the body.
- If your child is having loose bowel movements or is throwing up, offer fluid as your child is able to drink it.
- If your child is throwing up and cannot drink fluids, have your child suck on ice chips until the throwing up stops.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat or prevent upset stomach or throwing up
- Control loose stools
- Ease belly cramps
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may feel weak if still dehydrated. Have your child rest until fully recovered. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Talk to your doctor about the best foods and drinks for your child.
- When your child is able to eat, offer a normal healthy diet. Avoid fatty or fried foods. Also, avoid foods that are high in sugar.
- Avoid these drinks: soda, water, ginger ale, tea, fruit juice, caffeinated drinks, or sports drinks. These do not contain the right mix of sugar and salts. They can also bother your childs stomach and may make throwing up and loose stools worse. They can make the dehydration worse.
What problems could happen?
- Fainting or passing out
- Low blood volume or shock
- Seizures
- Harm to the kidneys
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Have your child drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Offer your child water instead of juice, soda, or tea.
- When your child exercises, plays sports, or plays outdoors, offer water 30 minutes before starting. Have your child drink small amounts of water during exercise. Keep on giving your child water after the activity.
- If your child is ill, be sure to watch how much fluid your child drinks. Dehydration is more common with fever, loose stools, or throwing up. It is important to replace fluid loss as soon as possible.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry, crying too much, muscles become stiff, the soft spot on your baby's head is sunken in, or if you feel your child is lethargic or irritable.
- Very dark yellow urine or your child has not peed in more than 6 hours and is throwing up
- No tears when crying
- Dry sticky mouth and lips
- Very sleepy or has less energy for light activities
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how often I should try to give my child fluids to drink and good kinds of fluids to give.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has very dark yellow urine or has not passed urine in more than 6 hours and is throwing up.
Where can I learn more?
Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine ‚
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=383509 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/dehydration.html# ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dehydration/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚