Is Your Child Dehydrated from Diarrhea?
Is Your Child Dehydrated from Diarrhea?
Diarrhea in children is when your child has sudden loose and watery stools more frequently than normal. All children have the occasional loose stool, but continually having them is diarrhea. This condition occurs when the inner lining of the intestine is injured and they do not absorb nutrients properly from the foods being eaten.
Losing more water than being taken back into the body is dehydration. It is very easy to become dehydrated while having diarrhea. To stave off this exodus of water you need to consume a set amount of water or electrolyte solution by your child’s body weight.
Fluid intake needed
Body Weight: 6-7 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 10 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 16 ounces
Body Weight: 11 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 15 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 23 ounces
Body Weight: 22 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 25 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 40 ounces
Body Weight: 26 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 28 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 44 ounces
Body Weight: 33 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 32 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 51 ounces
Body Weight: 40 lbs
Minimum daily fluid intake: 38 ounces
Electrolyte solution for diarrhea needed: 61 ounces
Causes of Childhood Diarrhea
enteroviruses
bacteria (e.coli, salmonella, etc)
parasitic infections
milk and food allergies
food poisoning
medication side effect
rotavirus infection
You will need to call your pediatrician if your child’s diarrhea is accompanied by a fever lasting longer than 1 to 2 days, has blood in the stool, has vomiting lasting longer than 12-24 hours, refuses to eat or drink, has severe stomach pain, has a swollen abdomen, or is jaundiced.
Signs of Children’s Dehydration
Mild to Moderate Dehydration:
less playful
less urination (less than 6 diapers a day)
fewer tears when crying
dry mouth
sunken soft spot on the head
loose diarrhea
Severe Dehydration:
fussy
sunken eyes
excessive sleepiness
wrinkled skin
cool hands and feet
only 1-2 eliminations a day
To prevent your child from getting diarrhea that may lead to dehydration, you will need to get your child to wash his/her hands after going to the bathroom every time. Don’t have your child drink unpasteurized milk or eat foods that may have been tainted by food poisoning or undercooked. If in doubt of a food, don’t let them eat it. Avoid giving your child unnecessary medications like antibiotics; remember a cold doesn’t need an antibiotic. Curb the use of sugary juices and sweetened beverages. Take care of what goes into your child and it will help take care of what comes out.
