What are the signs of dehydration in a child? How to determine the degree of dehydration. What is dehydration

The human body is 2/3 water, so maintaining its natural balance is vital for the body. An infant under one year old, in terms of body weight, needs 3 times more fluid than an adult, since water metabolism in children is more intense. Dehydration or dehydration in a child occurs for various reasons - overheating, viral diseases, and others. In any case, this is a dangerous condition that threatens to disrupt metabolic processes and failure of internal organs.

Signs of dehydration in a child

In the body of a child up to a year, the liquid occupies about 80% of the total volume. In a situation where the loss of water exceeds its intake, dehydration quickly sets in. How does dehydration manifest in a child?

The characteristic signs of a lack of fluid are as follows:

lack of tears when crying;
dry lips and tongue;
increased thirst, frequent requests for a drink;
urination does not occur for 5-8 hours;
lethargy, decreased activity;
in newborns, the problem can be determined by the state of the fontanel.

What happens to a child's body when dehydrated? The water in the cells is sent to the blood to ensure the functioning of the internal organs. If the amount of fluid continues to decrease, then blood flow slows down, making it harder for the heart to work. At the same time, metabolic processes are inhibited, sodium deficiency appears, provoking renal failure. A further decrease in fluid is dangerous due to the irreversibility of pathological processes.

How to determine the degree of dehydration

Symptoms of dehydration in children under one year old depend on the degree of dehydration. There are three stages of loss of body fluid, which will help to determine the characteristic signs:

Mild form - causes weight loss of no more than 5%. In most cases, it is provoked by intestinal infections, accompanied by diarrhea. The main symptoms of this stage are: thirst - the baby often asks for water or breasts, rare vomiting, stools 5-6 times a day, the oral mucosa is normal. It is not difficult to determine the problem, it is quite amenable to home treatment.
The average form - develops after 24-36 hours, it is characterized by frequent vomiting and stools up to 10 times a day. As a result of secretions, weight loss reaches 9%. The skin of the child loses its elasticity, the mucous membranes dry up, the pulse slows down. In infants, the fontanel area noticeably sinks. Urination becomes rare - 3 times a day. Urine becomes dark in color and has a strong odor. The listed signs of dehydration in a child under one year old require inpatient treatment.
Severe dehydration appears with loose stools more than 10 times a day, accompanied by vomiting. Symptoms of severe dehydration are similar to those of a moderate degree, but they are more pronounced: the fontanel and eyes of the child sink deeper, the face loses facial expressions, the mouth and eyes dry up, the temperature of the extremities decreases, the heart rate increases, the baby may lose consciousness or feel very drowsy. This condition is extremely dangerous, the baby loses 10% of its weight, the volume of blood and the amount of potassium ions sharply decrease. If the listed signs are observed in children, they need emergency medical care.

In the absence of qualified assistance, the state of dehydration becomes extremely severe, in which up to 20% of weight is lost. A critical lack of water leads to serious changes in internal organs and systems, but the child can still be saved with intensive care. A further decrease in the amount of fluid, exceeding 22%, causes irreversible processes and death.

Causes of dehydration in children

The lack of fluid in the body of a baby up to a year and older children is caused by various factors:

Viral and infectious diseases, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. This condition is complemented by fever, lethargy, lack of appetite. If a child has a sore throat or tonsillitis, he may refuse to drink because of a sore throat.
Dehydration in a child with rotovirus occurs against the background of intoxication of the body. The disease begins like a cold - with a high fever and cough, to which later diarrhea and vomiting are added. Antibiotics are not effective in fighting the virus, it is more important to water the child. This procedure consists in drinking in small portions - 12-14 glasses in 20-30 minutes. A child up to a year is drunk from a measuring syringe.
Poisoning provokes vomiting, with which fluid is lost.
Abundant sweating in hot weather, as well as overheating of a child up to a year old, easily disturbs the water-salt balance. The sweat glands of newborns are poorly developed, so parents should carefully monitor the loss of fluid through the baby's skin.
Excess urine output. The volume of secretions exceeding the intake of fluid can be caused by diabetes mellitus.
The cause of dehydration is some diseases - cystic fibrosis, malabsorption syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment of dehydration

Dehydration in a child can be determined by external signs and changes in activity. The main manifestations are prolonged urinary retention and dry mucous membranes. In clinical studies, a blood test allows you to understand the problem, providing information about violations of its electrolyte composition.

To compensate for the loss of fluid from the child's body should drink plenty of water, it can be water or dried fruit compote. But the increase in fluid volume is not the only thing the baby needs, it is equally important to restore the salt balance. For this, special preparations are prescribed: for children from one to two years old - Regidron, Regidralit, Pedialyt.

If there are no electrolyte compositions at hand, a glucose-salt solution is prepared independently. For 1 liter of water you will need:

1/2 teaspoon of kitchen salt;
1/2 tea baking soda;
4 tbsp. spoons of sugar.

As oral therapy, weak tea with lemon, mineral water, fruit or vegetable juice is suitable. After the vomiting stops, the child is recommended a carbohydrate diet: toast, pasta, rice porridge, banana, apple.

A newborn baby is almost 76% water, by the age of five this amount is reduced to 70%. With a long absence of water intake from the outside, the body begins to suffer from dehydration or dehydration. This is a dangerous process that disrupts the normal functioning of all systems. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of dehydration in children.

Types of dehydration

Dehydration in children is a pathology associated with a decrease in the amount of water in the body below physiological values. It is accompanied by metabolic disorders, can develop very quickly up to irreversible disorders. Dehydration is divided into degrees:

Fluid loss, in %	Peculiarities	Symptoms
	Develops in the first hours after acute diarrhea	Constant thirst, frequent stools up to 5 times a day, no drying out of the mucous membranes, vomiting resembles regurgitation
	Occurs within 24-36 hours, against the background of hyperthermia, refusal to drink	Frequent stools (10 times a day) interspersed with mucus or blood, vomiting does not stop, restlessness of behavior, drying out of the mouth, nose, eyes, weak pulse, viscous saliva, decrease in the amount of urine, retraction of the large fontanel when palpated
	Consequence of persistent vomiting or diarrhea	The mucous membrane of the mouth is dry, the skin gathers in folds, the eyelids do not close, there is no urination

Signs of dehydration in children

The severity of symptoms of dehydration depends on the severity of the condition, an important sign is a decrease in the frequency of urination. Signs of dehydration in a child with rotovirus are pronounced. A viral infection (noro- and adenovirus), bacterial pathogens (salmonella, clostridia, E. coli), Giardia secrete poison, from which the body gets rid of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite.

Other causes of dehydration are diabetes, overheating, cystic fibrosis, malabsorption, and sore throat. Types of dehydration and their symptoms in children:

Name		signs
Hypertensive	Water loss (diarrhea, dyspnea, pyrexia)	Thirst, dry mouth, cracked skin, loss of energy, flaccid apathy or agitation, decreased urine volume, confusion, pyrexia, muscle spasms
Hypotonic	Loss of electrolytes (vomiting)	Decreased skin elasticity, palpitations, dry eyes, shortness of breath, vomiting, lack of thirst
Isotonic	Loss of water and electrolytes (vomiting, diarrhea, lack of fluids)	Deafness of the heartbeat, slight thirst, increased heart rate

Change in urination

The main symptom of dehydration is the absence of urination for more than 6 hours, the release of urine with a pungent odor and an unusual color, the hyperactivity of the child, crying without tears. The norms of urination, depending on the age of children, with a deviation from which dehydration can be suspected:

	Urination frequency, once a day	The amount of daily urine, ml
Newborn baby
week of life

Up to 6 months


Over 10 years old

How to identify dehydration in a baby

Signs of dehydration in infants are especially important to know, because a newborn cannot be asked what hurts and why he feels unwell. You can recognize dehydration by the symptoms:

sunken eyes;
when crying there are no tears;
lethargy, inactivity or excessive hyperactivity;
saturated dark-colored urine with a pungent odor;
no urination for 5-8 hours;
exsicosis;
dryness of the oral mucosa.

Depending on the stage of development of dehydration, symptoms are distinguished:

Mild - slight weight loss, thirst, no dryness of the mouth and eyes, occasional vomiting.
Medium - frequent watery stools, saliva viscosity, cyanosis of the skin, weak pulse, enlarged fontanel.
The third - loss of up to 10 kg of weight, loss of consciousness, tachycardia, blue skin color or a marble pattern on it, deep recession of the fontanel.
Extremely severe - loss of up to 20%, you need to urgently consult a doctor. With the loss of 22% of water, death occurs.

In children after a year

You can identify the symptoms of dehydration in babies older than a year by the same signs:

Mild degree - no tears when crying, dry lips, tongue, increased thirst, frequent requests for a drink, lethargy.
Medium - frequent stools, vomiting, loss of skin elasticity, slowing of the pulse.
Severe - frequent loose stools, vomiting, deep sunken eyes, lack of facial expressions, loss of consciousness, severe drowsiness.

Symptoms of severe dehydration

Dehydration is dangerous for every organ and system of the body. With the loss of fluid, the functioning of the kidneys, heart, and brain is disrupted, which can lead to convulsions, loss of consciousness, heart rhythm disturbances, and life-threatening conditions. Symptoms of severe dehydration:

dryness of the oral mucosa;
picking up the skin in folds;
lack of closure of the eyelids;
no urination;
skin laxity;
cyanosis of fingertips, nose, lips;
pallor of the body;
cardiopalmus;
dyspnea;
convulsions.

Video

Dehydration in a child (dehydration) is a pathological condition that indicates a violation of the water-salt balance. Dehydration is associated with a decrease in the amount of water in the baby's body and metabolic disorders. Dehydration is not a disease, it is a symptom that indicates a malfunction in the body, overheating, the presence of an infection.

Signs of dehydration in a small child 2-3 years old:

dry mucous membranes;
grayish tint of the skin;
the baby is lethargic and drowsy or cries for more than an hour without tears;
vomiting, diarrhea;
the child was poisoned or overheated in the sun;
increase in body temperature;
rare urination (less than 1 time in 8 hours), discoloration of urine;
cold extremities;
rapid breathing.

Dehydration symptoms in children 1 year old: a sunken fontanel is added to the above signs. The body of a baby is 80% water; dehydration is especially dangerous for babies.

In the presence of such manifestations, urgently call the emergency team. Dehydration in babies develops instantly, it is important to see a doctor. The younger the child, the faster dehydration occurs.

Degrees of dehydration

Degree	Symptoms
Light	Weight loss up to 5%. The condition is characterized by frequent diarrhea (more than 5 times a day), weak vomiting, thirst. Mucous membranes are moist.
Medium	Loss of body weight up to 9%. Stool more than 8 times a day (with mucus and blood), repeated vomiting. Changes in general well-being: lethargy, weakness, bluish skin, dry mucous membranes, saliva becomes viscous. The child is unable to close his eyelids.
heavy	Weight loss of 10% or more. To the described symptoms are added sunken eyes, dryness of the cornea, loss of consciousness, rapid breathing and palpitations, pale skin. Stool more than 10 times a day, looks like a cloudy liquid.
Very heavy	Loss of body weight over 15%. With losses over 20%, irreversible changes occur in organs and tissues. Signs: spasms, convulsions, marble skin color, swelling, cold extremities, the baby refuses to take liquid.

Types of dehydration:

Hypertensive - dehydration occurs due to fluid loss, associated with diarrhea and other stomach disorders.
Hypotonic - loss of fluid due to lack of electrolytes (vomiting).
Isotonic - lack of water and electrolytes (lack of drinking, stool disorders, vomiting).

How to identify dehydration in a newborn

The immune system of the baby is not fully formed, the loss of fluid in the baby occurs faster than in adults. In order to timely determine dehydration in an infant, pay attention to his well-being.

Monitor the general condition of the newborn. The sluggish state of the infant, crying without tears, increased drowsiness should alert.
When dehydrated, the urine darkens and the frequency of urination decreases. Dangerous condition - the baby does not pee for more than 8 hours, urine with a pungent odor.
Lack of facial expressions.
Fluid loss - frequent vomiting, diarrhea, elevated body temperature lead to dehydration.

If you have any of the following symptoms in your baby, call an ambulance. Before the doctor's appointment, let the child drink every half an hour.

Dehydration in children of any age is treated after the cause is determined. With diarrhea, the underlying disease is treated, while drinking plenty of fluids and taking electrolytes is recommended.

Dehydration degree	Method of treatment
Light	Treatment at home simultaneously with the treatment of the underlying disease. The patient is prescribed to drink as much liquid as possible: pure still water, cranberry juice, tea without sugar. For 3 days, the diet consists of a liquid low-fat soup, rice water, and plenty of fluids. In the absence of vomiting, you can eat baked apples and potatoes. A mild degree of dehydration is determined on the first day after severe diarrhea.
Medium	The child is placed on a drip with an infusion solution. The condition improves within 2-3 days. The patient is discharged home, a plentiful drink is prescribed and, on the recommendation of a doctor, they take Regidron, Galactin, Citroglucosalan (can be bought at a pharmacy). In the absence of the effect of treatment with medicines, doctors prescribe isotonic solutions. The average degree of dehydration manifests itself within a day and a half after intoxication, diarrhea.
heavy	Droppers with isotonic solution under medical supervision. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are prescribed.
Very heavy	If you do not help, dehydration leads to metabolic disorders, irreversible changes in the circulatory system and nutrition of the brain. In the absence of resuscitation measures - a lethal outcome.

If the home medicine cabinet did not have the necessary drugs, you can prepare an electrolyte solution yourself. To do this, dissolve salt, soda (0.5 tsp), sugar (1 tbsp) in a liter of water. Fluid is taken every 2 hours. The solution should be at room temperature, the shelf life of a home-made electrolyte is no more than a day.

Useful for replenishing fluid losses in the body dried fruit compotes, raisin broth. For the preparation of raisin broth 100 gr. washed raw materials in 1 glass of water must be boiled and insisted. Then dilute with cooled boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1, use as often as possible.

Store-bought juices and nectars are not suitable for replenishing fluids, they contain harmful additives: preservatives, flavors, dyes.

Possible consequences

Mild and moderate stages of dehydration are successfully treated, without the development of dangerous complications.

Together with water, vital minerals leave the body, which leads to a violation of salt metabolism. Dehydration is a danger to all body systems.

In the absence of medical care, the consequences are possible:

increased blood viscosity;
malnutrition of the brain system;
malfunctions of the kidneys: impaired glomerular filtration, retention of toxins in the body, reduction and complete cessation (with severe dehydration) of urination;
accumulation in the tissues of toxins, decay products;
increased blood pressure;
decrease in magnesium levels and death of nerve cells, irreversible changes in capillary blood supply;
Prolonged dehydration weakens a child's immune system. As a result, the baby's body becomes more susceptible to infectious and colds;
stenosis of the main vessels, the appearance of blood clots;
metabolic diseases (obesity, overweight);
death.

Control the child's drinking regimen, give as much liquid as possible. Do not replace water with sugary sodas, coffee, or store-bought juices. In hot weather, increase the amount of liquid, limit the time spent in the sun. At the first symptoms of dehydration, contact your pediatrician. If there is a child in the house, keep sorbents (activated charcoal), anti-diarrhea remedies, and saline solutions in your first-aid kit.

Dehydration of the body (dehydration, exsicosis) in a child is always dangerous. But the consequences are more severe, the younger the age: the blood volume is less, the process of fluid loss is much faster. You don't have to wait for symptoms to show up before you start taking steps to manage dehydration.

Causes

vomit;
diarrhea;
increased body temperature;
activity of the baby in games.

What is dangerous?

signs

thirst;
dry mouth, tongue;
dry skin;
hoarseness of voice;
dry cough;
irritability;
lack of sweat;
drowsiness;
dark color of urine;
strong smell of urine;
infrequent urination.

How to determine?

Isotonic - loss of salt and fluid are the same
Water scarce - water loss predominates
Salt-deficient - salt loss predominates

Degrees

2 degree - from 5 to 10%;
3 degree - more than 10%.

Urination rate

by the year up to 3 - 10 per day;

What to do?

plentiful drink;
dropper.

With diarrhea

Take note: Nifuroxazide for diarrhea in children

With rotavirus

With ARVI, ARI

Preparations

Regidron;
Pedialit;
Rehydralitis.

Mortar recipe

half a teaspoon of salt;
half a teaspoon of soda;
4 tablespoons of sugar;

How much to drink?

from 2 to 10 - 150 ml;
from 10 years - 200 ml.

With the onset of dehydration of the body of a moderate degree, the calculation of the amount of necessary fluid should be determined by the physician, the treatment is carried out by the pediatrician.

older than 2 years - about 1500 ml.

Prevention

Therefore, the task of adults is

parents don't notice

dehydration

just small children.

General concept

especially hard

no more than 5% liquid

by 6-10%

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When does it occur?

Also :

Exactly

Call doctors urgently with these symptoms:

increased viscosity of saliva;
the child is lethargic and sleepy.

Similar emergency medical call

every 10 minutes, 5-15 ml

Ready solution is used only a day.

blood thickens

Call an ambulance urgently

take the child yourself.

the most obvious indicator dehydration.

indicates dehydration.

Mild dehydration usually treated at home.

Regidron and Rehydrolit.

infusion therapy

vegetable or chicken broth.

over four hours ago

can be translated

from an early age

In hot dry weather

Dehydration is for a child.

Causes

The causes of this problem are:

vomit;
diarrhea;
increased body temperature;
elevated ambient temperature;
activity of the baby in games.

What is dangerous?

Consequences of dehydration of the body:

damage to the nervous system of varying severity: the development of seizures, others;
lung dysfunction: pneumonia.

Cases when the baby died due to dehydration, there are to this day. Dehydration in a child under 5 years of age is responsible for 2 million deaths per year worldwide.

signs

You don't have to wait for symptoms to show up before you start taking steps to manage dehydration. Treatment should be under medical supervision.

If the child has a high temperature, diarrhea or vomiting, it is hot outside or in the house, he actively played - it is obvious that replenishment of water in the body is necessary, even if there are no symptoms of dehydration. Too much fluid intake in this case is not dangerous.

If on a hot day it is enough to offer a drink to a child who has played, then diarrhea, vomiting, and temperature are a reason for using electrolyte solutions. No need to wait for a doctor - time in this case is very expensive. Start treatment as soon as possible.

Dehydration in children has the following symptoms:

thirst;
dry mouth, tongue;
crying without tears (in children older than 2 months);
retraction of the fontanel (the sign is relevant for children under one year old);
dry skin;
hoarseness of voice;
dry cough;
irritability;
lack of sweat;
drowsiness;
dark color of urine;
strong smell of urine;
infrequent urination.

Signs of dehydration in a child, indicating a change in the color, smell of urine, and rare urination are the most obvious symptoms of dehydration that has begun.

How to determine?

Dehydration also varies in percentage of salt loss. According to this indicator, it is divided into:

Isotonic - loss of salt and fluid are the same. This is a milder type of exicosis.
Water scarce - water loss predominates. Usually occurs with severe diarrhea, high fever. The child is willing to drink.
Salt-deficient - salt loss predominates. Usually occurs with profuse vomiting. This type of dehydration can be recognized by the child's refusal to drink.

According to the clinical analysis of blood, conclusions can be drawn about the degree of dehydration. So, dehydration is manifested by an increase in hemoglobin. An increase in this indicator indicates a thickening of the blood, characteristic of a lack of fluid. The doctor also pays attention to the level of red blood cells, increased hematocrit.

Degrees

1 degree - loss of water up to 5% of body weight;
2 degree - from 5 to 10%;
3 degree - more than 10%.

Urination rate

Urination norms in accordance with the age of children:

up to 6 months - 20 times a day;
from six months to a year - 15 times a day;
by the year up to 3 - 10 per day;
from 3 years old - 7 times a day, then the volume of urine increases, the number of urination remains;
an adult - from 4 to 7 times.

The brighter the symptoms of dehydration, the more signs appear, the faster parents should see a doctor, and the more intensively solder and treat the child.

What to do?

Depending on the degree of the disease, the following measures are applied:

plentiful drink;
humidification of the air of the environment;
dropper.

With a salt-deficient form of dehydration, an enhanced replenishment of spent salts is necessary.

With diarrhea

A child with diarrhea within 2-3 hours may develop moderate dehydration, after 6 hours - a high degree of severity. It is important after the first liquid stool to start "soldering" the baby. Oral rehydration medications should be in every home first aid kit.

Repeated vomiting can be caused by even a small amount of liquid. If the baby vomits, give him fluids in minimal doses. If the child is small, use a measuring syringe from an antipyretic or a syringe without a needle. With the minimum dose that the body can take, pour the drink into the cheek.

When dehydration begins, do not stop the process of drinking, even if the baby is sleeping. You can calm down only when the main symptoms disappear - rare urination and dark urine.

Diarrhea or repeated vomiting in babies under 2 years of age should see a doctor. Doctors do not seek to take responsibility for treatment and immediately give a referral for hospitalization. It is up to the parents to make the final decision on the appropriateness of such a measure.

With rotavirus

The watery diarrhea (no blood in the stool with diarrhea) that is characteristic of rotavirus does not require antibiotic treatment. But they are prescribed immediately upon admission to the hospital, without waiting for the results of the tests. A few hours that you will spend in the emergency and emergency department, you will not be able to properly water the baby. The conditions in the ward are usually far from the recommended requirements for humidity and air temperature. Therefore, strive not to bring to hospitalization, do the prevention of dehydration in time.

With ARVI, ARI

Dehydration in a child often accompanies inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Moisturizing the inhaled air, the body spends a lot of fluid. The air that reaches the alveoli has 100% humidity.

An increase in body temperature is often accompanied by a large loss of fluid. This, in turn, leads to thickening of the blood. The viscosity of sputum increases, it does not come out well. Viruses are actively developing in it. Hence complications: sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. SARS and acute respiratory infections are often accompanied by profuse sweating (drenched sweat).

In addition to the need to heavily water the child to combat dehydration it is necessary to observe the regimes of air temperature (not higher than 22) and humidity (not lower than 50%) in the baby's room. Drinking with acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections should be warm (there is a high probability of sore throat) and sweet.

Preparations

Preparations for replenishing the salt composition:

Regidron;
Pedialit;
Rehydralitis.

Mortar recipe

You can prepare the remedy yourself. Dissolve in 1 liter of water:

half a teaspoon of salt;
half a teaspoon of soda;
4 tablespoons of sugar;
half a teaspoon of potassium chloride.

How much to drink?

Daily water intake for children:

up to a year - 130 ml per 1 kg of weight;
from a year to 3 - 100 ml per 1 kg of weight;
from 3 to 14 - 80 ml per 1 kg of weight.

With the onset of diarrhea and a mild degree of dehydration, fluids should be given:

up to 2 years - 50-100 ml for each case of loose stools;
from 2 to 10 - 150 ml;
from 10 years - 200 ml.

With the onset of dehydration of the body of a moderate degree, the calculation of the amount of necessary fluid should be determined by the physician, the treatment is performed by the pediatrician.

Approximate amount of rehydrant needed for children :

from 6 months to a year - 700 ml per day;
from 1 year to 2 years - 800-1000 ml per day;
older than 2 years - about 1500 ml.

Plus, it is necessary to offer water and other drinks in the amount in which the child wants. From drinks - dried apple compote, tea, rice water. No need to give chamomile tea for diarrhea! Chamomile tea provokes diarrhea. Milk, juices, lemonades should also be excluded.

Breastfed babies should continue to be fed. If the baby is on the mixture - for the duration of diarrhea, feeding with the mixture should be stopped (medical consultation is required).

Prevention

It is difficult even for an adult to analyze the presence of thirst in oneself. A child, even an older one, is unlikely to remember the need to drink in time.

Therefore, the task of adults is monitor the timely replenishment of fluid in children, to avoid a situation where the symptoms of exsicosis become apparent. Treatment is always more difficult than prevention. Always have rehydration products in your first aid kit.

The human body consists of water by 65 - 70%. And in a newborn child - by 85%. Over the years, this figure decreases, from which the body ages. The little man is actively developing, so he needs a lot of clean and high-quality water, so it is important to notice the symptoms of dehydration in a child in time.

Determination of the norm of fluid in the body of a child

A newborn baby receives the necessary water with mother's milk. The situation changes with the introduction of the first complementary foods. From this point on, mother's milk becomes insufficient to replenish the required amount of water.

Its rate is calculated by the formula: 50 ml per kg of the child's weight. Take into account the water in breast milk, which is 75% of the total volume. The difference between the two indicators will indicate how much water the child lacks.

For example:

baby weight - 7.5 kg, he needs water - 50 x 7.5 \u003d 375 ml;
he drinks milk - 400 ml, 75% of water from it, this is: 400 x 0.75 \u003d 300 ml;
difference: 375 - 300 = 75 ml.

This means that the child should be given 75 ml of water per day.

With age, the child becomes more active, eats more solid food, increases water intake, as it cleanses the body, restores strength, and participates in the supply of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, water must be available and in the right amount. Its norm is calculated according to the same formula as for children under one year old.

Causes of dehydration

Dehydration in a child has a variety of symptoms, but they are all closely related to the causes that cause them:

Diseases caused by viruses and infections, occurring with fever, aggravated by vomiting and diarrhea. If the child has a sore throat, he refuses to eat and drink;
Poisoning with drugs and household chemicals, resulting in vomiting and indigestion;
Uncontrolled intake of drugs, since the body spends liquid to dissolve them;
Intoxication of the body due to rotovirus infection. It manifests itself in the form of fever and cough, then vomiting and diarrhea are added;
In hot weather, the baby loses moisture through sweat;
Diabetes mellitus leads to frequent urination, more fluid comes out than comes in;
Hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, malabsorption, lead to dehydration.

The fluid in the child's body is replenished by plain water. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is quickly absorbed, easily absorbed, and takes part in all important processes.

Types of dehydration

In the human body, water is present in organs, the circulatory system, between cells and tissues. Prolonged lack of fluid leads to dehydration or dehydration.

There are several types of it:

isotonic- a frequent type of dehydration, fluid loss occurs gradually, evenly, the body does not experience severe suffering;
hypotonic- vomiting increases the deficit of extracellular fluid, the concentration of sodium decreases, which leads to kidney failure, water from the blood plasma passes into the cells, causing their edema;
hypertensive- prolonged diarrhea and increased sweating increase the sodium content, the intracellular fluid passes into the bloodstream to ensure the functioning of the internal organs, it creates a deficiency in the cells.

Consequences of dehydration

The work of the body as a whole depends on the water content.

Its deficiency leads to changes:

In the brain- blood supply, brain nutrition are disturbed, the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, atherosclerosis increases, the protective function of the blood-brain barrier is impaired;
In blood- it thickens, its viscosity increases, the lumen of blood vessels decreases, its constituent blood cells (leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets) stick together and lead to the formation of blood clots;
In the immune system- immunodeficiency states develop in the cells and chronic diseases appear: bronchial asthma, infertility, scleroderma, systemic diseases;
Metabolism is disturbed, which leads to obesity.

Signs of dehydration

Dehydration in infants is determined by the following signs:

Older children suffer no less from a lack of fluid in the body.

The following symptoms are observed:

prolonged diarrhea and vomiting (more than 12 hours);
semiconscious consciousness;
labored breathing;
break in urination up to 7 hours;
complaints of pain and cramps in the abdomen;
heat.

Symptoms of dehydration in a child are visible to the naked eye. The main thing is to carefully monitor the condition of the baby.

Urination rate

Dehydration of the body leads to changes in the excretion of urine in a child:

reduced frequency of urination;
one-time and daily amount;
an unpleasant odor appears;
color changes.

Approximate rate of urine output in children of the first year of life:

newborn on the first day - 5 - 6 times, volume - 60 ml;
up to 6 months - 20 - 25 times a day, 30 ml, total - 300 - 500 ml;
from 6 months to 1 year - 15 - 16 times a day, 60 ml, total - 750 ml.

Parents' doubts can be confirmed or refuted only by laboratory tests.

Dehydration Determination

The body of the child loses fluid very quickly, this manifests itself in mild, moderate and severe forms. Mild degree - the baby loses up to 5% of his body.

Common signs:

thirst - the child constantly asks for water;
frequent bowel movements - up to 5 times a day;
slight vomiting - it can be mistaken for regurgitation;
the inner covering of the mouth, nose, eyes do not change.

Adjusting the condition of the baby is not difficult. Average degree - body weight decreases by 6 - 9%.

The lack of water is exacerbated by the following manifestations:

the intensity of bowel movements - up to 10 times a day, the feces are liquid, there are mucus and traces of blood;
incessant vomiting;
the inner surface of the mouth, nose is dry;
the skin loses its elasticity;
the skin is dry, the folds return to their original position within 2 seconds, acquires a bluish tint;
viscous saliva;
the fontanel sinks;
reduced urine output;
the pulse is poorly palpable;
eyes do not shed tears when crying.

The child becomes capricious, restless, irritable. The condition is not critical, can be treated in a hospital. Severe - weight loss greater than 10%.

Has the following symptoms:

frequent stools more than 10 times a day and incessant vomiting;
dried inner surfaces of the mouth, nose;
eyes do not close, the cornea is dry;
the fontanel and eyes strongly sink;
the child does not urinate;
hands and feet lose heat;
the child may be disconnected;
pulse quickens.

The condition is difficult to treat. If you do not provide timely emergency assistance, a fatal outcome is possible.

Dehydration of the body of a child up to a year

If the doctor considers home treatment possible, then desoldering with electrolyte solutions in combination with glucose is prescribed: the daily dose is 130 ml per kilogram of weight. Apply "Gastrolit", "Humana Electrolyte". If diarrhea and vomiting continue, the child is admitted to the hospital for treatment by intravenous injections.

Dehydration of the baby's skin

Skin dehydration is determined by the following signs:

Elasticity disappears;
Itching, peeling appear;
Flaccid skin, when squeezed, the fold straightens out after 2 seconds or more;
Cold, bluish;
Acquires a marble pattern.

As a result of dehydration, the skin cannot perform its main function - protecting the body from negative external influences.

What to do with diarrhea

With an upset stomach in a child, the actions of parents are as follows:

Give the child water as often as possible and in small portions. Use any liquid he asks, as well as saline solutions. If he pees every 3 hours, then there is enough water in the body. If he does not drink, you should not hesitate to call an ambulance;
Give medicine for fever if it is above 38.5 degrees;
After each bowel movement, wash the child and lubricate the anus with baby cream to avoid irritation;
Monitor the condition of the baby, avoid dehydration.

What to do with vomiting

Vomiting, like diarrhea, is accompanied by the removal of fluid from the body.

Call a doctor;
Put the child on its side to avoid getting vomit into the trachea;
Give sorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel, Atoxil, Smekta). Even a small amount of them removes toxic substances and microbes from the stomach;
Give the baby water and liquid with electrolytes (Regidron, Gastrolit).

What to do with rotavirus

Symptoms of dehydration in a child with rotavirus infection do not appear immediately. First, the temperature rises and vomiting begins, then diarrhea occurs up to 10-12 times a day.

call a doctor;
give the child liquid at room temperature in small portions (from a cup, spoon, bottle);
include in the drink means to restore the salt balance ("Regidron", "Humana Electrolyte" and others);
put the baby on its side so that the vomit does not enter the respiratory tract;
before the doctor arrives, do not give medications;
monitor the condition of the baby, in case of signs of severe dehydration, urgently call an ambulance.

What to do with ARI and SARS

Elevated temperature leads to dehydration.

Tips for parents:

Drink your child as often as possible. Any liquid will do: water, fruit drink, dried fruit compote, a decoction of raisins and dried apricots;
Use solutions for rehydration: Regidron, Normohydron, Gastrolit and others;
Bury the nose with saline solution ("Aquamaris", "Humer", "Marimer"). You can do it yourself: dissolve a teaspoon of kitchen salt in a liter of water;
Any medication is prescribed by a doctor.

What to do with temperature

So that high temperatures do not lead to dehydration, the following actions are required from parents:

Create an air temperature of 18 - 20 degrees in the room, humidity 50 - 70%;
Provide plenty of drink: dried fruit compote, fruit drink, raisin decoction, sweet soda, rehydrating agents ("Regidron" and others);
At a temperature of more than 38.5 degrees - give "Ibuprofen", "Paracetamol" in liquid form.

In what cases it is impossible to solder a child

When helping a child with dehydration, it is important to know that rehydration is not carried out if:

constant vomiting;
dehydration in a critical form;
reduced urine output, which may indicate kidney problems
elevated sugar levels.

Each of these symptoms is a direct path to the hospitalization of the baby.

When to urgently call a doctor

Parents should not rely on chance or their knowledge of pediatrics.

Urgently call a doctor with such symptoms:

dry tongue;
dry cry;
does not pee for more than 6 hours;
does not sweat;
refuses to drink.

Methods for diagnosing dehydration

When identifying the type and degree of dehydration, an assessment of the clinical manifestations of dehydration is used.

From laboratory studies apply:

Complete blood count (clinical) - gives an idea of the state of the body as a whole;
Blood culture - finds out the presence of bacteria and their sensitivity to antibiotics;
Urinalysis - to exclude infection in the bladder, the presence of sugar, the severity of dehydration.

Treatment in a hospital

Treatment in the hospital depends on the severity of the admitted patient.

Apply:

oral rehydration;
parenteral treatment;
infusion therapy.

Peporal rehydration

This type of replenishment of lost fluid is used for mild to moderate dehydration.

Use:

Solutions from glucose and salt containing sodium and potassium (Glucosolan, Citroglucosolan, Regidron);
Salt-free liquids, tea of a weak consistency with lemon, compotes, mineral water without gas, carrot juice, rice water.

Treatment is carried out in two stages:

In the first 6 hours, with a mild degree, the liquid is administered in an amount of 50 ml / kg, with an average - 80 ml / kg;
In the next 18 hours, increase the fluid intake to 80-100 ml/kg.

The liquid is given in parts from 1 - 2 tsp. up to 1 st. l. every 5 - 10 minutes.

Parenteral rehydration

Fluid replacement by intravenous injection is carried out when:

ineffective oral administration of dosage forms;
lack of fluid becomes catastrophic;
incessant vomiting;
increased loose stools;
cessation of urination.

The daily volume of administered drugs is calculated by adding:

the amount of fluid the child needs daily;
the volume required to increase the mass;
volume that the body continues to lose.

Liquid is additionally added to the resulting volume if there is vomiting, diarrhea and urinary excretion is difficult.

Infusion therapy

They begin with the introduction of colloidal solutions (Albumin, Dextrose, Reopoliglyukin). To children of early age intravenously enter solutions with sodium and glucose. Apply "Atsesol" and others, but carefully.

Carry out treatment in stages:

Eliminate the effects of shock, restore mass deficiency, correct hemodynamics;
Inject solutions slowly up to 15-20 drops per minute. Increase the volume of fluid with drinking and nutrition;
A solution of potassium chloride is administered intravenously.

Medical preparations

Dehydration in a child, the symptoms of which are discussed above, are treated with such drugs:

"Regidron" - normalizes the acid-base balance;
"Humana Electrolyte" - corrects the water-electrolyte ratio, suitable for babies up to a year due to the lower sodium content;
"Gastrolit" - replenishes water and electrolyte losses, chamomile extract relieves inflammation, eliminates spasms, is an antiseptic;
"Albumin" - a colloidal infusion solution for injection, restores water-alkaline balance, removes toxins;
"Dextrose" - a solution for injection infusions, replenishes water deficiency, is a carbohydrate food;
"Acesol" - saline solution for injection, eliminates blood clots, normalizes capillary circulation, removes harmful substances;
"Trisol" - a similar action.

Treatment at home

Home treatment begins as soon as the child develops nausea, vomiting, and high fever.

What to do for parents:

Call a doctor;
observe the child;
Collect feces for the arrival of the doctor;
Do not prescribe drugs on your own;
Drink often and in small portions. Use water, mineral water without gas, saline solutions from a pharmacy or prepared on your own, a decoction of raisins. Liquids at room temperature;
For diarrhea without vomiting, prepare rice water: a tablespoon of rice in 2 cups of water, boil until the liquid is halved;
Do not feed, if asked, give thin porridge;
If the condition worsens, call an ambulance.

Recovery Diet

After the normalization of the functions of the stomach and intestines, you should adhere to a sparing diet.

What can older children eat:

liquid pureed soups on the water;
steamed or boiled vegetables in pureed form;
jelly from berries, compotes from dried fruits (exclude prunes).

Children under one year old and infants:

infants receive mother's milk;
artisans - fermented milk mixtures, acidophilic milk, kefir;
complementary foods - liquid pureed soups and vegetables, steamed or boiled.

You can not use:

milk and fatty dairy products;
porridge with milk;
fatty meat and fish;
strong broths;
smoked and canned foods;
bread and sweet pastries;
fruits and vegetables high in fiber.

Prevention of fluid deficiency

To accustom the child to the use of water with the introduction of complementary foods;
Increase the amount of water for the child in hot weather and at high temperatures;
Start watering the child at the first symptoms of the manifestation of diseases: infection, poisoning;
Have saline solutions in the first aid kit;
Do not stop feeding an infant during diarrhea and vomiting;
The fasting diet is applicable only in the first hours of the disease.

Dehydration in a child is a pathology with a variety of symptoms. Armed with knowledge, parents will be able to help the baby in time, without bringing the situation to a critical stage.

Video about dehydration in children, symptoms and solutions for dehydration

Treatment of rotavirus in children, prevention of dehydration:

How to teach your child to drink enough water:

Dehydration in a child is a formidable symptom that leads to a rapid disruption of the work of all organs and systems, especially the nervous, cardiovascular and urinary systems. In children, this condition develops rapidly, which poses a threat to life and increases the likelihood of death. It is very important for parents to notice signs of dehydration in time in order to help the child on their own or take him to the hospital.

Dehydration in a child - when does it develop?

Dehydration, or dehydration, is a condition when the body actively loses water and electrolytes, but cannot adequately and fully replenish them. Babies are much more susceptible to dehydration than adults. This is due to the fact that the child's body contains more water at a higher rate of water-electrolyte metabolism. In addition, in infancy, the mechanism of renal and neurohumoral regulation of water-salt metabolism is still very imperfect.

Dehydration can be caused by profuse sweating, vomiting or diarrhea, and less often by excessive urination. High body temperature, trauma, internal bleeding and hemorrhage, active physical activity, starvation, lack of drinking water contribute to dehydration.

An important link in pathogenesis is the loss of not only water, but also salts with sweat, vomit and feces, so the use of completely fresh water without adequate nutrition does not improve, but only worsens the condition. In this case, the so-called blood thinning occurs - the concentration of electrolytes in it decreases. Under the action of osmotic forces, water leaves the blood into the tissues, causing an even more active loss of fluid. At the same time, the thirst center of the brain reacts precisely to the concentration of electrolytes, forms a persistent desire to drink and maintains a vicious circle. For these reasons, when dehydrated, it is recommended to drink mineral water or saline solutions, and not ordinary fresh water.

Common Causes

In children, dehydration most often occurs against the background of intestinal infections due to diarrhea and vomiting. Also, infants may suffer from symptoms of dehydration due to infectious diseases accompanied by high fever. A dangerous condition can develop against the background of viral and bacterial infections, food, drug poisoning, the manifestation of which is frequent loose stools and repeated vomiting.

A child may refuse to take fluids during a common cold accompanied by a sore throat. In addition, chronic pathologies such as diabetes mellitus (with uncontrolled urination), cystic fibrosis or malabsorption syndrome can become the cause of dehydration.

Another reason often becomes improperly organized water consumption during travel. Parents need to pay special attention to this moment. It should be understood that in infants, dehydration can provoke even a long trip to the shopping center (especially in hot summers). How to understand that a child has dehydration, what symptoms will indicate the development of a dangerous condition? Parents should definitely note any unfavorable changes in the baby's condition and know the main signs indicating dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration

Signs of dehydration in a child are quite characteristic. The very first of them is a strong thirst and dry mouth, while the baby's appetite decreases. The skin becomes drier and hotter. The baby feels bad, cries, but tears are not formed. If the child already knows how to speak, he will complain of a headache, less often - of pain in the heart. During physical exertion, fatigue sets in faster than usual.

More severe signs of dehydration - lack of saliva, change in the appearance of urine - it becomes a thick yellow color, its amount is significantly reduced. The child becomes lethargic, loses interest in what is happening around. At this stage, severe headaches, heart pain, muscle weakness, and sometimes convulsions are possible.

Dangerous symptoms

Dangerous symptoms that indicate that dehydration is becoming severe - impaired consciousness, convulsions, delirium, lack of urine. With a severe degree of dehydration, urination is completely absent, the mucous membranes become dry, the skin, when collected into folds, does not straighten out within a few seconds. The fontanel and eyeballs sink in the baby, and the face becomes like a mask, since there is no facial expression. The child cannot completely close the eyelids, the cornea of the eyes becomes dry, the skin becomes bluish, and the limbs become cold.

If such symptoms occur, you should urgently call an ambulance and immediately take the child to the hospital. It is impossible to cure severe dehydration on your own at home, hospitalization in this case is required.

The state of dehydration in children is characterized by rapid progression, and the younger the child, the faster the pathological process develops. Also, the rate of deterioration of the baby's well-being is affected by the intensity of diarrhea or vomiting, the features of sweating in a child. As a rule, in infants, almost any disease occurs with an increase in temperature to high values, as a result, this condition is accompanied by increased sweating and a high risk of dehydration.

Why is dehydration dangerous in a child?

Water is the main medium in which biological processes take place, so its role in the human body is difficult to overestimate. But besides the immediate loss of fluid, there are other consequences of dehydration in a child. Along with water, salts and minerals leave, the water-electrolyte balance is disturbed, which negatively affects the functioning of internal organs and vital systems of the body.

The kidneys are the first to suffer from such disorders. The lack of water and especially sodium leads to a decrease in glomerular filtration, a decrease in the amount of urine, in severe cases, to a complete cessation of urination. As a result, decay products that are normally excreted through the kidneys are retained in the body and cause a toxic effect.

The cardiovascular system also suffers from a lack of water, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Due to the decrease in the amount of fluid in the bloodstream, blood pressure rises due to vasoconstriction. This leads to disruption of capillary blood supply, accumulation in the tissues of decay products formed during the life of cells. Such processes, simultaneously with a violation of the normal water balance, lead to intoxication of the body. In addition, the loss of potassium and magnesium causes a malfunction in the regulation of blood pressure, which leads to a violation of the heart rhythm. Therefore, a characteristic sign of dehydration are symptoms of arrhythmias, interruptions in the work of the heart and pain in the chest.

Effect on the nervous system

The nervous system reacts most sharply to a decrease in the level of magnesium, as well as to the accumulation of decay products and a deterioration in blood supply. With dehydration, the processes of depolarization and repolarization of nerve cells are disrupted, as a result, prolonged dehydration causes their death.

Dehydration primarily affects the brain and the hematopoietic system. The consequence may be malnutrition and blood circulation in the brain, which in the future increases the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease, parkinsonism or sclerosis. Dehydration leads to thickening of the blood, an increase in its viscosity and a decrease in the lumen of the vessels, which increases the likelihood of blood clots.

The immune system also suffers, since dehydration contributes to the development of chronic immunodeficiency conditions - scleroderma, bronchial asthma, and also causes metabolic disorders and leads to obesity.

Treatment

How to prevent the development of a dangerous condition, and what measures to take to eliminate the life-threatening consequences of dehydration in a small child? First, you should be wary of any disease that is accompanied by high fever, diarrhea or vomiting. If the baby has at least one of these symptoms, treatment should be started immediately.

A sick baby is recommended to give more fluids. If we are talking about a breast-fed baby, it is imperative to drink water between feedings. If the child cannot drink due to vomiting or a serious condition, a doctor should be called immediately.

Mild dehydration in an older child is treated by drinking plenty of fluids and limiting physical activity. The baby needs to be in a cool (by no means hot!) Room, physical activity should be minimized to reduce sweating. With vomiting and diarrhea, you can drink intestinal sorbents (activated charcoal or Smecta). Other medicines for diarrhea and diarrhoea can be given to a child only on the prescription of a doctor.

Of the liquids, mineral water is preferable - it restores the loss of fluid and electrolytes. If the doctor recommends saline solutions, the pharmacy should purchase the drug Regidron or its analogues - Sorbilact, Ringer, Disol. With their help, it is possible to quickly restore the normal acid-base balance and replenish the loss of electrolytes.

Rehydration solutions

Rehydration solutions are easy to prepare yourself if you can’t go to the pharmacy. You can do this in three ways:

Dissolve 1 tsp in a glass of warm boiled water. sugar and salt.
In 500 ml of cool boiled water, add 2 tsp. salt, sugar and 1/4 tsp. baking soda.
Take two liter jars, pour 1 tbsp into one. l. salt, in another - the same amount of sugar and pour warm boiled water up to the shoulders. Give the child a solution in turn from each jar every 10 minutes.

Solutions should be taken in small volumes, but often. For example, every 10 minutes the baby should be given a teaspoon of Regidron or its analogues. Such a scheme will help prevent repeated attacks of vomiting and will normalize the electrolyte balance in the body.

You can also drink sweet weak tea or juice, especially with vomiting and diarrhea. Sugary drinks allow you to maintain normal blood glucose levels, which is very important for impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients. The baby can be given freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, green tea with lemon and sugar, compotes from fresh berries or dried fruits, decoctions of cereals (rice, pearl barley).

Physical activity increases sweating, so it is advisable for the baby to move as little as possible. If he is lethargic, does not show activity, you should not try to stir him up, force him to carry out any assignments - this will only worsen his condition.

When is hospitalization needed?

Moderate and severe dehydration in a child with vomiting, if the baby cannot drink or his condition worsens, requires hospitalization. In the hospital, a small patient will be prescribed bed rest. Fluid (saline, Ringer's solution, 5% glucose solution) will be given intravenously. It is also necessary to select a treatment regimen for the underlying disease or intestinal infection that provokes dehydration. Severe dehydration requires intensive care unit conditions.

In children of the first months of life, it is necessary to seek the help of a pediatrician at the first signs of dehydration, since life-threatening conditions can develop very quickly - within a day or several hours. In older children, you can try to cope with dehydration on your own, but you should still see a doctor right away if the symptoms of the disease worsen and the child's condition worsens.

Despite the danger of dehydration in young children, this condition can be prevented and successfully dealt with if you know what to do, what measures to take, and when to call a doctor. Attentive parents will not only immediately notice signs of incipient dehydration in their baby, but will also take timely measures to stop this condition.

Diet Features

Diseases accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea contribute to a lack of appetite. The kid refuses to eat, as attempts to feed turn into vomiting. However, in order to maintain the strength of the body, the child needs good nutrition.

As soon as the baby's condition improves, you can give him a little vegetable or cereal broth, liquid semolina porridge boiled in water, a sweet drink. Fresh fruits will help to maintain strength - a banana, an apple, a pear. It is best to give them to a child in the form of a puree.

As soon as an appetite appears, it is necessary to provide the most healthy, light and sparing food. It is recommended to cook light boiled porridges (rice, oatmeal, semolina), mashed potatoes, give steam omelettes. Serve meat dishes in the form of small steamed cutlets, meatballs in sauce or quenelles.

After a few days, as the condition stabilizes, you can switch to a normal diet. Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in the menu, cook cottage cheese casseroles, cheesecakes, give the child sour-milk drinks and natural yoghurts containing lactobacilli, which help restore normal intestinal microflora. And, of course, do not forget about taking a sufficient amount of liquid.

Prevention of dehydration

The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of water and eat a nutritious diet. Remember that the baby should drink at least 1 liter of water per day (this volume does not include soda, tea, compote and other liquids). At the same time, the volume of liquid should be increased in hot weather and during illness, if the baby has a fever.

Babies up to a year very often suffer from infectious diseases, since the immune system is not yet fully formed and does not function at full strength. Parents should especially carefully monitor the condition of the baby during this period. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, the baby should be given rehydration solutions after several vomiting attacks and episodes of loose stools.

Dehydration is a serious disease that parents don't notice. More precisely, they see some alarming signs, but they attribute them to fatigue, overwork, and a cold.

And precious time is wasted. It is very important to look at dehydration(dehydration), and promptly help the child.

Violation of the water balance is a pathology that is more susceptible to just small children. And it is for them that the state is most dangerous, the most important metabolic processes, including brain ones, are disrupted.

The immune defense does not yet work to its full potential, and the child's body is not so strong in self-regulation, because dehydration happens pretty quickly(in comparison with an adult), and the mechanism of complications also starts quickly. We will talk about the first signs of dehydration in a child in the article.

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General concept

This is a pathological condition, it is associated with decrease in the amount of water in the body when it falls below the required physiological values.

Dehydration is always accompanied by a failure of metabolic processes. It is not a separate disease, it is only a complication of the disease that develops very quickly.

especially hard recognize dehydration in an infant, meanwhile, the rate of pathological changes, as well as the scale, is very high.

There are three levels of severity - mild, moderate and severe. Lost in mild no more than 5% liquid, and it usually occurs in the first hours after diarrhea.

With moderate severity, water is lost by 6-10%, develops from a day to a day and a half, usually against the background of a very high temperature and refusal to drink.

Severe dehydration is defined as fluid loss of 10% or more, resulting from incessant vomiting and diarrhea.

Most often, dehydration is the result of viral or bacterial infection. Since bacteria and viruses provoke the production of poisons, which poison the cellular composition of the body.

And the body itself, in order to overcome the problem, includes all means of protection - the temperature rises, vomiting and diarrhea develop, loss of appetite is noted.

Also can lead to dehydration:

Diseases that are characterized by sore throat, which makes the child refuse to drink.
Diarrhea and vomiting due to intoxication due to poisoning.
Insufficient nutritional regimen in principle.
Excessive sweating due to excessive physical activity or increased external temperature (meaning the temperature of the air in the room).

Exactly small children are at risk There is more water in a child's body than in an adult. Also, children have a high rate of water-electrolyte metabolism, but the renal and neurohumoral mechanisms of the regulatory processes of water and salts are not yet so perfect.

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How do you know if a child is dehydrated? If the child is under one year old and has vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever- you need to immediately call an ambulance. Do not run to the clinic, do not wait until the pediatrician comes, namely, call a medical team.

Dehydration develops almost at lightning speed, you can only notice that the child is lethargic, think that ARVI is starting, and things are already taking a dangerous turn.

Call doctors urgently with these symptoms:

the baby has dry mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue;
the skin became grayish;
increased viscosity of saliva;
the child is lethargic and sleepy.

Similar emergency medical call requires a state when the child is constantly crying, he is restless, while crying is dry (without tears).

The fontanelles on the head sink down in the baby, the pulse quickens, he pees less often, while the urine is dark with a pungent odor. The baby's eyes sink, and there is an acute feeling of thirst.

Babies simply won’t be able to drink a lot, it’s physically unrealistic, because parents themselves can’t do anything - actions can aggravate the situation.

You need to call a doctor immediately. If the doctor sees a mild degree, he will prescribe treatment, and may even leave the child at home. But more often the baby is hospitalized.

Older children need to be given plenty of fluids. Moreover, special solutions. This is Regidron, Oralit, you can drink Pedilight, Glucosolan.

In the first five hours, the solution is given every 10 minutes, 5-15 ml. When the child's condition improves, the solution is reduced, but it must still satisfy the physiological needs. If the child does not drink at all, you can pour the solution into his cheek with a syringe without a needle.

What to do if there is no rehydrate at home? You don’t have to run as fast as you can to the pharmacy (especially since this is not always possible), make your own rehydration solution.

For 1 liter of boiled cooled water, take half a teaspoon of salt, 4 teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of potassium chloride.

Ready solution is used only a day.

In this case, the liquid should be at room temperature, since hot drinks take moisture away, but cold drinks will simply pass through.

It is absolutely impossible to wait, hoping that it will pass by itself. You can not overheat the child, you can not give drugs that the doctor did not prescribe. Do not give antiemetics, these drugs are given strictly limited in special cases, and older children.

The scheme is simple: there are alarming signs - call a doctor. For children under one year old, this is only an ambulance; older children can call a pediatrician. In the meantime, he goes to drink rehydration solution.

What are the consequences? Dehydration is extremely dangerous for the brain. During dehydration, the barrier function of the capillaries of the brain is disrupted, as a result of which dangerous substances can enter the brain.

Water is as important to the brain as oxygen. Dehydration is also dangerous for the circulatory system - blood thickens, and its main cells reduce their activity.

For babies, dehydration is dangerous - it leads to borderline conditions, if urgent help is not provided.

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Call an ambulance urgently if the child has become unusually weak, if his fontanelles sink down, his eyes roll up.

Too lethargic, like a sleepy child, refusing to eat and drink - this is a reason to call an ambulance.

If you assume that the ambulance will travel for a long time, and the children's hospital is nearby - take the child yourself. The telephone number of the local pediatrician should always be at hand.

Dial it and find out how and what to do, describe the child's condition. This way you will be calm, coordinated by professional advice, and not lose valuable time.

The doctor examines the child, but the information that the parents will tell is no less important. You should monitor how often the child pees, if there is no urination for more than 6 hours, this is the most obvious indicator dehydration.

The color and smell of urine is also indicative - when dehydrated, it becomes dark, and the smell is sharper.

Sluggish or, conversely, hyperactive, crying without tears - all this indicates dehydration.

After examining the baby, after determining the degree of dehydration, the doctor determines where the child is best treated.

Mild dehydration usually treated at home.

The baby takes special solutions that restore the water-salt balance. Babies under two years of age are usually prescribed Regidron and Rehydrolit.

Moderate severity is already an indication for inpatient treatment, albeit a short one. The child will be injected with an infusion solution, and watch how the small body begins to make up for the lack of water. Discharged home when the child becomes better, and he begins to drink.

With a severe degree of dehydration, the child is urgently transferred to a hospital.

There he will have a full examination, infusion therapy, self-treatment of the infection, if the latter is diagnosed.

If the child is already two years old, then in addition to the rehydration solution, he can be given non-carbonated mineral water, as well as a light soup on the water. Can vegetable or chicken broth.

If the baby's last vomiting was over four hours ago, you can offer him a banana, an apple, unsweetened rice porridge, boiled potatoes or durum pasta.

For about a couple of days, the diet should be like this, carbohydrate.

Then, if the baby feels well, gradually can be translated to a more varied diet.

Sweets are not included in the principle of a restorative diet. Even in the smallest amount. Remember that they are only help the infection get comfortable in the body and "support" the inflammatory process.

A child of any age, especially a small one, should strictly observe the drinking regimen. This is, of course, the responsibility of the parents. Water is not replaced by juice, soda, tea or coffee.

You can offer your baby water that is slightly sweetened with honey and a slice of lemon.

It is healthy and tasty, and if you give such a drink to a baby from an early age(provided that he is not allergic to honey), he will not like juices and lemonades so much.

In hot dry weather and with a jump in temperature, the volumes of the liquid increase. Even one-time diarrhea and vomiting require an increase in drinking volumes. You need to drink little, but often. It is impossible to refuse breastfeeding, only if the doctor insists on this with reason.

Dehydration - real serious danger for a child.

Even if the parents are adherents of the theory that it is not worth calling the doctor once again, in a threatening situation they should discard their arguments, because the child needs to be saved elementarily.

How to identify dehydration in a child? You can learn about it from the video:

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The metabolic rate in young children is much higher than in adults, and even molecular water in the baby's body does not stay longer than five days. This is due to the characteristics of the child's body, adapted to receive nutrition in the form of a liquid. The older the child, the slower the water molecules leave his body, so dehydration is especially dangerous for babies. Water loss can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main signs of dehydration in a child of any age are always the same.

Causes of Fluid Loss in Children

Fluid is lost from the body of babies for reasons, some of which can be both diseases and adverse external conditions. And if the baby is not used to it, dehydration may occur. The most common causes of dehydration in a child are:

Hot weather, in which, losing moisture.
Inadequate intake of water in the body in the form of drink or liquid food. Even infants who are fed milk should be given boiled water several times a day, especially in summer.
Metabolic disorders in which the body loses water, such as diabetes.
Acute intestinal infections, poisoning, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. Indigestion is always accompanied by loss of fluid and minerals.
Taking medicines that speed up fluid excretion, such as diuretics.

Symptoms of dehydration

In medicine, it is customary to subdivide the signs of dehydration of the human body into three subgroups, corresponding to the degree of dehydration. The first degree is the easiest, no special measures are required to compensate for this condition, except for replenishing the water balance by giving water. The second degree is characterized by a deterioration in the child's condition, develops during the day and requires immediate measures to restore the water balance. The third, most severe degree develops as a result of severe intoxication, leading to a real danger of shock and coma. The child needs emergency hospitalization.

Dehydration 1 degree:

infrequent urination;
thirst;
dryness and cracking of the lips;
slight weight loss
baby anxiety;
dry lips and tongue;
dark, concentrated urine;
urination every six to eight hours.

Dehydration 2 degrees:

drowsiness, apathy, unwillingness to play;
pale skin, grayish tint;
dark circles around the eyes;
rapid pulse, tachycardia;
retraction of the fontanel in newborns.

Dehydration 3 degrees:

refusal of water and food;
cold fingers and toes;
confusion, loss of orientation;
strong heartbeat;
decrease in skin elasticity;
swelling of the limbs;
sunken eyes;
loss of more than ten percent of the weight.

First aid

If adults notice the first signs of dehydration in a child, then measures must be taken quickly so that the baby's condition returns to normal. To do this, you need to determine what causes dehydration and eliminate the root cause. For example, on a hot afternoon, children are wiped with a damp towel, given cool water to drink, and placed in the shade. If possible, the baby should be bathed under running warm water.

If the cause of dehydration is diarrhea or vomiting due to an intestinal infection, you should immediately consult a doctor. Until the normal functioning of the intestines and stomach, children are given electrolyte solutions intended for babies. "Regidron", "Pedialit", ordinary water with a drop of lemon and a pinch of salt is offered in limited quantities. The stomach of babies with indigestion cannot hold the previous volume of liquid, so the solutions are given one spoonful, in a warm form, after ten to twenty minutes. Alternatively, you can use microclysters with warm water: water is quickly absorbed in the rectum.

Viral or bacterial diseases can cause intoxication and associated reluctance to drink and eat. There is no need to insist, force-feed the child, but water must be given in spoonfuls, even if the baby does not want to drink it. The introduction of liquid allows you to alleviate the symptoms of intoxication and prevent the increase in symptoms of dehydration.

Treatment for dehydration

With unsuccessful attempts to help the baby on their own, parents must definitely go to the hospital, where the child will receive emergency care. Most often, the pediatrician prescribes a course of intravenous infusions of saline and glucose, which will make up for the lack of water and minerals. In addition, the main cause of dehydration is treated in the hospital.

Complications

One of the terrible, irreparable complications of childhood dehydration is death. Strange, but it is dehydration that is the world's first cause of infant mortality. In addition, fluid loss can cause dysfunctions of the heart and kidneys, nervous system and respiratory tract. With timely treatment, these phenomena are reversible, but if the uncompensated stage of dehydration lasts long enough, then the child may experience changes in the nervous system.

Preventive measures

All adults should know the basic methods for preventing fluid loss in children:

In the hot season, kids are periodically offered any cool drink, as children simply forget to drink after playing.
With any increase in temperature, especially if the baby is given medication, it should be watered often. The body spends a certain amount of water on the absorption of drugs, therefore, to prevent fluid loss, children are given plenty of water.
Do not give too sweet or salty foods and drinks to children with a fever or in the heat. Salt and sugar absorb fluid, causing dehydration.
Diarrhea or vomiting are potentially dangerous conditions for children, especially for newborns. In a few hours, the baby can lose a significant amount of fluid. Immediate contact with the pediatrician is the first action of the parents in this case.