Dehydration in Children

This is the time of year when stomach viruses abound. It seems like every one you talk to has had some type of illness in their family. When you are dealing with stomach viruses, which are often plagued with vomiting and diarrhea, there is always a chance of dehydration.

Dehydration can be a concern at any age, but is particularly of concern for children. What can we, as parents, do to prevent dehydration? What signs should we be looking for? What can you do to treat dehydration at home? When should we call the doctor?

Preventing Dehydration:

The best defense against dehydration is a good defense. One of the easiest things you can do is to give your child an electrolyte solution upon the onset of vomiting or diarrhea. Perhaps the most well-known electrolyte brand for children is Pedialyte. However, there are other brands such as Infalyte and Gerber. Out of all of these, Gerber seems to be the best tasting one.

Signs of Dehydration:

One of the first signs of dehydration is actually excess thirst. If your child is suddenly extremely thirsty, they may already be on the road to becoming dehydrated.

Another sign is dry lips and mouth. If your child's lips are extremely dry, you want to check the inside of their mouth. If the mouth is dry, that is a good indication that your child is dehydrated.

Sunken in, dark eyes are also a cue that a child has become dehydrated. Also, your child may cease to make tears when crying. This can indicate dehydration as well.

Strong smelling, concentrated, dark urine is also a sign of dehydration. If someone is well-hydrated their urine will have a mild odor and be a straw color. Also, if there is a marked decrease in the frequency of urination or the amount of urine produced, there is cause to believe dehydration is setting in.

Finally, if your child has become lethargic, meaning laying around with no energy, it can be a sign of dehydration. This is especially true if lethargy is accompanied by any of the other symptoms on this list.

Home Treatment for Dehydration:

If you have not already done so, start your child on one of the electrolyte solutions mentioned to prevent dehydration. If your child is having trouble keeping the solution down, you can give them one tablespoon of liquids every ten minutes. If the child is able to keep a tablespoon of the liquid down, you can gradually increase the amount of liquid given at one time.

If you are breastfeeding, continue to do so as long as your child can keep the milk down. If you are bottle feeding, try switching to a lactose-free formula for diarrhea. Lactose can sometimes make diarrhea worse.

Avoid sports drinks such as Gatorade. These solutions are often high in sugar, which can make diarrhea and vomiting worse. Also, they replace electrolytes lost during exercise, not the electrolytes that are lost due to illness. You also want to avoid giving your child juices, especially with diarrhea. Juice will make the condition worse.

Many pediatricians will also recommend that you put your child on a special diet for diarrhea. This is known as the B.R.A.T. diet. B.R.A.T. stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods will help to decrease diarrhea, thus keeping your child from becoming dehydrated.

When to call the Doctor:

Generally, you would need to contact your doctor if your child is unable to hold down any liquids for more than twelve hours due to vomiting. You would also need to contact your doctor if moderate diarrhea lasts for more than five days. You also should call your doctor if your child exhibits the signs of dehydration listed above.