Dehydration in children: Symptoms and preventionImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Dehydration means lack of water and essential fluids in the body. This problem can not only happen to the elders but also to young children, especially infants under 1 year of age. The body of young children lose the fluid rapidly and their immune system is also weak, due to which they are more at risk of dehydration. Repeated diarrhea, vomiting, high fever or not getting enough milk and water become a major reason for this situation. In addition, hot weather or infections can also cause dehydration in infants. If not paying attention to time, this situation can be serious, so the problem of dehydration should not be ignored in young children.
Dehydration can prove to be dangerous for infants, as their body is unable to bear the lack of water and minerals. When there is a lack of fluid in the body, the blood becomes thick and oxygen and nutrients are not able to reach the organs properly. This weakens the baby and starts crying again and again. Dehydration in critical condition can affect the kidney, which reduces the formation of urine. Due to frequent dehydration, the development of the child can be interrupted and brain functioning can also be affected. If there is no treatment on time, then this situation can also be fatal. Therefore, taking dehydration seriously in infants and contacting a doctor immediately is very important.
What are the symptoms of dehydration?
Many symptoms of dehydration may appear in children younger than 1 year. The most common symptom is the child’s repeated cry and irritability. With this, the baby’s mouth and lips dry up, tears do not come out while crying and the diaper remains dry for a long time. The soft spots present above the baby’s head may collap, which is a clear indication of dehydration. In addition, the baby’s skin looks loose or dry and the eyes can look sunbathing.
If the child refuses to drink milk again and again, shows too much weakness or feels lethargy, then it can point to serious dehydration. Sometimes due to dehydration, the child can also have high fever or persistent diarrhea. Ignoring these symptoms can be dangerous. Parents should as soon as these signs appear, contact the doctor immediately and try to get enough fluid to the baby.
How to rescue
Get your baby breast feeding again and again.
Wear light clothes to the child in hot weather.
Contact the doctor immediately if there is diarrhea or vomiting.
Give the child a clean and clean environment.
Give adequate formula milk to infants who do not feed breast.
If you see any kind of weakness or lethargy in the baby, contact the doctor immediately.