How can a child become dehydrated?
A. The most common cause is an illness during which your child is vomiting or has diarrhea. But during warmer months, if your child is playing for long periods of time in high temperatures, under direct sun, or in high humidity without drinking enough fluids, he is also at risk. Q. Are kids at greater risk than adults? A. Yes, they are at greater risk due to the fact that the surface area of a child’s body makes up a larger proportion of her weight. This gives her more area on which to be exposed to heat and from which to lose sweat. Also, previous dehydration issues, obesity and a recent illness are additional risk factors. Children who are in poor physical shape, not used to heat, or using antihistamines or diuretics are also at increased risk for dehydration. Q. What are the symptoms of dehydration? A. Thirst is frequently the earliest symptom, and can occur with only very mild dehydration. Fatigue, dry lips and tongue, dark urine color, decrease in urination, and the feeling of bei
