Signs of dehydration in children and infants

It is essential for mothers to know the signs of dehydration in infants and children. Kids can become dehydrated if they lose fluids as in gastroenteritis due to vomiting and diarrhea and also the lowered appetite. Dehydration is easy to treat but can become serious if left untreated (specially in babies in their first 6 months), it needs attention and careful observation to be noticed.

Signs of dehydration in infants and young children:

• The child is lethargic, sleepy or isn't responding well to the mother ( he's not smiling back, he's very tired to open his eyes). Or, the child is very agitated and crying.
  
  
• Dry mouth and tongue. Touch your baby's tongue to check the moisture. In dehydrated children, you will notice that he will suck your finger vigorously (he is very thirsty!).
  
  
• Sunken eyes.
  
• Depressed fontanelles: if you notice that the level of the fontanelles is lower than normal.
  
• Alertness: pay attention for your babies overall "mood" and alertness, decreased activity and alertness is a sign of more and more dehydration.
  
• Skin turgor: hold a fold of your child's skin gently between your fingers and release it. Normally, the skin should return immediately, if it returns slowly or very slowly, it is a sign of dehydration (compare with yourself).
  
• Urine output: is your child producing less amounts of urine than usual (or less frequent).

When to seek medical help:

• If you suspect dehydration signs you should always seek medical advice. If your child is younger than 6 months seek medical advice immediately. Always remember to give your baby enough fluids (using the oral rehydration solution ORS) if he or she has diarrhea or vomiting to compensate for the water he lost and see a doctor for more help.
  
• If your baby is under 6 months old.
  
• If you feel the condition is getting worse or the symptoms are not improving.
  
• If there is high fever or severe abdominal pain.
  
• If there is blood in your baby's diarrhea or vomit.
  
• If your child has any other medical condition.
  
• If the child keeps vomiting everything he drinks or eats.

Treatment of dehydration:

In mild dehydration the treatment is simply more ORS about 50ml for each motion or as your doctor advice you. Remember to start giving you kid fluid and continue the normal feeding when they have gastroenteritis until a doctor examines him/her. In more severe cases, IV solutions are needed. Other treatments may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiemetics for the vomiting and anti-pyretics for the fever.

Related:
Gastroenteritis in children.
Diet for diarrhea in children.

Diet for diarrhea in children

Diarrhea and gastroenteritis is very common in children of all ages, specially infants and toddlers. There are many different causes for diarrhea, some of these causes may require a special diet such as diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance but we will be just talking about the other more common types of gastroenteritis, mainly caused by viral infections.

This is for educational purposed only and not a substitute of medical consultation. If your child is sick or have diarrhea, go to the doctor, it is important to assess the degree of illness and to detect dehydration and correct it.

This article may help you decide what to feed your child at home during the treatment of gastroenteritis. Here are some of the foods to include in a diet during diarrhea:

• Don't forget the rehydration solution if your doctor told you to use one! In young and dehydrated children, the Oral rehydration solution is the most important item in treatment.
  
• If your baby is breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding unless the doctor tells you otherwise.
  
• Rice water is okay.
  
• Mashed potatoes, you can add a little salt to it.
  
• Milk and yoghurt.
  
• Fresh fruit juice, better without sugar in infants and toddlers.
  
• Bananas, applesauce and toast. The BRAT diet (Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) is popular in many places although there is no evidence shows it is beneficial or better than the usual diet, besides, it lacks protein.
  
• If your child's case gets worse after an initial improvement, try a lactose free milk formula and seek medical advice.

Foods to avoid:

• Cola and similar beverages.
• Fatty, oily food and chipsy.
• Cookies, candy and chocolate.
• Junk food in general.