Pediatric Dehydration
Recognizing and treating fluid loss in infants and children
Step by Step
Warning signs: fewer wet nappies or passing little urine, dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot on a baby's head, cold hands and feet, and unusual sleepiness or irritability. Keep offering fluids in small, frequent sips; continue breastfeeding or formula feeds, and oral rehydration solution from a pharmacy can help replace lost salts, following the pack instructions or pharmacist advice. Sugary drinks and fruit juice can make diarrhea worse. Get urgent medical help for babies under 6 months, a child who is very drowsy or floppy, refuses all fluids, has green vomit, blood in the stool, or signs of severe dehydration. Call emergency services if the child is unresponsive or seriously unwell.
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