How Do You Spot Dehydration In Young Children?
A simple stomach virus can turn into so much more with young children. Just the simple fluid loss normally associated with vomiting or diarrhea leads to dehydration, which throws electrolytes out of balance. Severe dehydration requires hospitalization. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to death. Notice when young children have episodes of vomiting or diarrhea. By the time a child feels thirst, she is already mildly dehydrated. Try different kinds of liquids if your child refuses to eat or drink. Sometimes a clear soft drink goes down better than water. But when a child refuses to eat or drink for awhile and shows other signs of dehydration, she needs to go to a hospital. Watch for sunken eyes, a sign of moderate dehydration that means it’s time to call his doctor. In babies, look for a sunk soft spot, the fontanel, at the front of her head. Check your child’s urine output. Urine should be clear or pale yellow. Increase fluids if urine begins to darken. Moderate dehydration develo