What is Rehydration in Children

Rehydration is the replacement of body fluids and salts and minerals (electrolytes) that are lost during dehydration.

Dehydration is when there is not enough fluid or water in the body. This happens when your child loses more fluids than he or she takes in. Common causes of dehydration include:

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.
• Excessive sweating, such as from heat exposure or exercise.
• Not drinking enough fluids.

Signs of dehydration in young children may include:

• Dry, sticky mouth.
• Irritability.
• Decreased or no tear production.
• Sleepiness.
• Having no or very few wet diapers for 6–8 hours.
• Dry or persistently wrinkled skin.
• A sunken soft spot on the head (fontanelle).
• Dark-colored urine.

Older children may also have:

• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.

You can rehydrate your child by giving him or her certain extra liquids at home, as told by your child’s health care provider. If your child continues to have vomiting or diarrhea and cannot be rehydrated at home, he or she may need to go to the hospital to get IV fluids.

What are the risks?

Generally, rehydration is safe. However, one problem that can happen is taking in too much fluid (overhydration). This is rare. If overhydration happens, it can cause an electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure, or a decrease in salt (sodium) levels in your child’s body.

How to rehydrate

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about how to rehydrate your child. The kind of fluid your child should drink and the amount that he or she should drink depend on your child’s condition, age, and weight.

• If instructed by your child’s health care provider, have your child drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is a drink designed to treat dehydration. It can be found in pharmacies and retail stores.
  • Make an ORS by following instructions on the package.
  • Start by having your child drink small amounts, such as small sips or 1 tsp (5 ml) every 5–10 minutes.
  • Slowly increase the amount that your child drinks until your child has taken the amount recommended by his or her health care provider.
• Have your child drink enough clear fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow. If your child was instructed to drink an ORS, have your child finish the ORS first before he or she slowly starts drinking other clear fluids. Have your child drink fluids such as:
  • Water. Do not give extra water to a baby who is younger than 1 year old. Do not have your child drink only water by itself, because doing that can lead to sodium levels that are too low (hyponatremia).
  • Ice chips.
  • Fruit juice that you have added water to (diluted juice).
• If your child is severely dehydrated, his or her health care provider may recommend that he or she gets fluids through an IV tube in the hospital.

Eating while rehydrating

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about what your child should eat while rehydrating.

• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby frequently in small amounts.
• Have your child eat foods that contain a healthy balance of electrolytes, such as bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
• Do not give your child foods that are greasy or contain a lot of fat or sugar.
• If your child does not vomit for 4 hours after drinking fluids, he or she may slowly begin eating regular foods. Over the next 1–2 days, your child may slowly resume his or her regular diet.

Beverages to avoid

Certain beverages may make dehydration worse. While your child rehydrates, avoid giving your child:

• Drinks that contain a lot of sugar.
• Caffeine.
• Carbonated drinks.

Check nutrition labels to see how much sugar or caffeine a drink contains.

Signs of dehydration recovery

Your child may be recovering from dehydration if he or she:

• Urinates more often than he or she did before rehydrating.
• Has clear or pale yellow urine.
• Has an improved mood and energy level.
• Vomits less frequently.
• Has diarrhea less frequently.
• Has an improved or normal appetite.
• Has skin that is moist, warm, and a normal color.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child continues to have symptoms of mild dehydration, such as:
  • Thirst.
  • Dry lips.
  • Slightly dry mouth.
  • Less frequent urination, or fewer wet diapers.
• Your child continues to vomit or have diarrhea.

Get help right away if:

• Your child continues to vomit or have diarrhea and is not able to drink an ORS without vomiting.
• Your child has not urinated in 6–8 hours.
• Your child has urinated only a small amount of very dark urine over 6–8 hours.
• Your child is confused or unresponsive.
• Your child’s heart is beating quickly.
• Your child is breathing rapidly.
• Your child’s skin is:
  • Cool.
  • Wrinkled.
  • Blotchy (mottled).
• Your child has jerky, involuntary movements (seizure).