Dehydration in children: what are our tips?
A child can become dehydrated quickly, especially during illness or in extreme heat . This is a dangerous phenomenon because dehydration unfortunately remains a major cause of infant mortality.
In addition, infants have very high water requirements relative to their body mass and may have difficulty expressing or satisfying their thirst on their own. By the way, did you know that 80% of an infant's weight is water? As a reminder, in adults this represents approximately 60%!
Recognizing the signs and knowing how to react is crucial to preventing serious complications. This article will help you understand the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of dehydration in children, depending on their age.
Causes of dehydration in children
The causes of dehydration in children are numerous and are not limited to periods of high heat. Therefore, it is always necessary to pay attention to the condition of children. To do this, it is recommended to pay attention to the most common and identifiable causes which are:
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is underestimated, being often viral, short-lived and benign. However, it systematically causes significant water loss which can directly lead to severe dehydration, especially in infants.
This is even more the case for acute diarrhea, associated with continuous, liquid stools, which will lead to an even greater loss of mass and water.
For all diarrhea, it will be necessary to replace the water and mineral salts lost to avoid complications or even hospitalization.
Vomiting
Vomiting is also dangerous for a child's health. In the event of repeated vomiting, the loss of fluids can be significant and lead to dehydration, which will require an intake of minerals, vitamins and nutrients.
- Childhood fever
In a baby or young child, a fever is often a cause for concern. An infection has probably set in and the fever is fighting it. If your child has a temperature of over 39°C and it lasts for more than two days, he or she may eat less, drink less and sweat profusely . The risk of dehydration can then become significant.
- Infant gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis combines the symptoms of diarrhea , vomiting and fever , and it must be taken very seriously, especially in a very young child, whose body is composed 80% water. The loss of body water is more pronounced and dehydration is a real danger for the child.
- The heat
During heat waves and high temperatures , prolonged exposure to the sun, spending too long in a poorly ventilated room and low water consumption can lead to dehydration in children: they sweat and lose fluid. Here too, they must be rehydrated without delay.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration in children
In order to combat dehydration, it is first necessary to identify it correctly and effectively. There are many symptoms that can potentially indicate dehydration or its onset.
Symptoms in infants
Infant dehydration has specific signs. In fact, since they obviously cannot identify and express their needs themselves, it is necessary to pay particular attention to them. Here are the symptoms in infants:
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A dry mouth and lack of saliva: the appearance of the lips can help identify it.
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Less wet diapers or the need to change fewer than 4 diapers per day.
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The fontanelle (soft area on the head) is abnormally sunken.
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The appearance of crying without tears.
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Drowsiness or unusual irritability.
Symptoms in older children (2-7 years)
The signs change as the child grows. Even if he can express his thirst or symptoms more easily, you still need to remain attentive to these signs:
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An intense thirst testified by the child,
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Very dark and infrequent urine,
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Dizziness and fatigue,
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Dry, dark circles or sunken eyes,
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Abnormal confusion and irritability,
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Sticky or dry oral mucous membranes (tongue, lips),
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A sudden decrease in weight. In children, dehydration can occur with a loss of 3% of weight, going up to 5% for severe dehydration . Beyond 10%, vital organs are in great danger.
Stages of dehydration in children
It is important to know that dehydration in children is divided into several stages with a visible evolution of symptoms. It is therefore necessary to effectively identify the signs in order to prevent it from progressing to the next stage. These stages can be identified according to the following symptoms:
- Mild dehydration
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Appearance of thirst
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Onset of dry mouth
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Visible decrease in the amount of urine
- Moderate dehydration
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Dryness and cooling of the skin
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Increased fatigue and drowsiness
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Urine that becomes darker
- Severe dehydration
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Complete absence of urination (the act of urinating)
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Lethargy and impaired consciousness
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Possibly vomiting and convulsions
Diagnosis of dehydration in children
After the first identifiable signs appear, it is important to correctly diagnose the child. Several methods can then be implemented:
- The physical examination
To diagnose dehydration physically, one can observe the elasticity of the skin, which may be reduced. As previously mentioned, the more sunken eyes and the more sunken fontanelle in infants are also notable.
- Analysis of vital functions
Studying vital functions is also an important step in diagnosis. The heart rate may become higher than usual during exercise, to pump blood that becomes more viscous due to lack of water. Blood pressure can also be altered because dehydration affects the body's ability to manage blood pressure.
- Performing tests
Finally, additional tests can be carried out to confirm and specify dehydration, such as a blood test to assess the electrolyte level and a urine analysis to check its concentration and color.
Treatment of dehydration in children
When the first signs of mild dehydration appear, you should not panic but rather remedy the problem quickly. There are several ways to rehydrate yourself, other than simply drinking water.
These different methods depend on the severity of dehydration and the age of the child . They allow to treat the problems associated with it such as the loss of electrolytes.
Treatment in infants
To rehydrate an infant , oral rehydration solutions (ORS) containing electrolytes, sugar, and zinc can be given orally. The most effective way to rehydrate an infant is to give small, frequent doses, about 5 to 10 ml every 5 minutes.
In more severe cases, or when dehydration causes vomiting (preventing effective oral rehydration), rehydration by infusion may be necessary.
Treatment in older children
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can also be used to rehydrate them. Even if children refuse to drink a lot at once, it is still possible to encourage them to take small sips frequently.
After rehydration, it is recommended to resume a light diet rich in electrolytes , such as bananas, rice or soups.
Prevention of dehydration in children
Even though you have seen how to easily identify the signs of dehydration in children, and how to treat them, it is still better to prevent the problem by always staying properly hydrated.
The best way to do this is to directly monitor children's hydration, especially during periods of illness or high temperatures. If they don't usually drink a lot of water, it is always possible to offer them something to drink regularly, even when they are not thirsty.
For the most active children and outdoor outings, it is very effective to use drinks enriched with electrolytes. For this, you can use Hydratis tablets , they contain electrolytes and trace elements, optimizing the absorption of water in the body. In this way, it will considerably reduce the risk of dehydration. We offer different flavors to suit everyone! Please note that we recommend consulting a health professional for children aged 3 and 4 and for older children (4 to 10 years old), we recommend a maximum of 3 tablets per day to improve their hydration.
What to remember about dehydration in children?
Dehydration in children is an emergency that should not be taken lightly. By recognizing the signs early and providing adequate rehydration, parents can avoid serious complications. Do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your child's hydration status.
Bibliography
Montain, S., & Coyle, E. (1992). Influence of graded dehydration on hyperthermia and cardiovascular drift during exercise.. Journal of applied physiology, 73 4, 1340-50. https://doi.org/10.1152/JAPPL.1992.73.4.1340 .
Gradual dehydration during exercise increases core temperature, heart rate, and stroke volume, with larger volumes of fluid reducing these effects: https://www.inspq.qc.ca/mieux-vivre/sante/problemes-sante-courants/deshydration?
