Dehydration Health Article

Alternative treatment

Gelatin water may be substituted for electrolyte-replacement solutions if an ORS is unavailable. It is made by diluting a 3-oz package in a quart of water or by adding one-fourth teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of sugar to a pint of water. Receiving the right amount of electrolytes is very important, and thus homemade remedies such as gelatin (or adding salt or sugar to water) are not recommended because of the potential for quantity errors when mixing. However, these may be useful if ORS cannot be obtained in an emergency. Parents should keep a can of ORS on hand for emergencies.

Formulas containing soy fiber have been reported to reduce liquid stools.

Prognosis

Mild dehydration rarely results in complications. If the cause is eliminated and lost fluid is replaced, mild dehydration can usually be cured quickly.

Vomiting and diarrhea that continue for several days without adequate fluid replacement can be fatal. However, dehydration that is rapidly recognized and treated has a good outcome.

Prevention

Ensuring that children always drink adequate fluids during an illness helps to prevent dehydration. Parents can prevent dehydration in infants and children who are vomiting or who have diarrhea by increasing fluids to compensate for losses. Infants and children with diarrhea and vomiting should be given ORS such as Pedialyte immediately to help prevent dehydration.

Children who are not ill can maintain proper fluid balance by drinking water or fluids even before they are thirsty. Children should drink fluids before going outside to exercise or play (especially on a hot day). Dehydration can usually be prevented by drinking enough fluid for urine to remain the color of pale straw. Water in foods, especially fruits and vegetables, is a great source of fluid. Fruits and vegetables can contain up to 95 percent water, so a well-balanced diet is a good way to stay hydrated.

Parents should know whether any medication their child is taking can cause dehydration and should get prompt medical care to correct any underlying condition that increases the risk of dehydration.

Other methods of preventing dehydration and ensuring adequate fluid intake are as follows:

• eating more soup at mealtime
• drinking plenty of water and juice at mealtime and between meals
• keeping a glass of water nearby

Children should not be given coffee or tea, because they increase body temperature and water loss. Avoiding caffeinated soft drinks may also reduce the risk of dehydration. These beverages are all diuretics (substances that increase fluid loss).

BOOKS

Batmanghelidj, F. Water: For Health, For Healing, For Life: You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty! New York: Warner Books, 2003.

Kleinman, Ronald E., and the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 5th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2003.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Healthy Eating for Life for Children. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2002.

Speakman, Elizabeth, and Norma Jean Weldy. Body Fluids and Electrolytes, 8th ed. London: Mosby Incorporated, 2001.

Willett, Walter C., and P. J. Skerrett. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating. New York: Simon & Schuster Source, 2002.

Workman, M. Linda. Introduction to Fluids, Electrolytes and Acid-Base Balance. London: Saunders, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Steiner, M. J., et al. "Is this child dehydrated?" Journal of the American Medical Association 291, no. 22 (June 2004): 2746–54.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Pediatrics. 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007–1098. Web site: <www.aap.org>.

American College of Emergency Physicians. 1125 Executive Circle, Irving, TX 75038–2522. Web site: <www.acep.org>.

WEB SITES

Rehydration Project. Available online at <www.rehydrate.org> (accessed November 16, 2004).

"Why Is Dehydration so Dangerous?" Rehydration Project. Available online at <www.rehydrate.org/dehydration/index.html> (accessed November 16, 2004).

Crystal Heather Kaczkowski, MSc. Maureen Haggerty