Recognize the signs of dehydration in children and babies! & bull; hello healthy

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than the intake of fluids. Both adults, babies, and children can experience this condition. However, dehydration can be said to be very dangerous when it occurs in infants, children, and the elderly. In order to avoid unwanted things, you need to know the signs of dehydration in children and babies below!

Causes of dehydration in children and babies

It is natural when the body is able to remove fluids from sweat, urine, feces, and tears.

However, this lost fluid can be replaced with other fluid intake. The child's body is also able to maintain the balance process.

However, quoted from About Kids Health, dehydration in children and babies can occur when more fluids are released.

Not only because of lack of drinking, but it can also occur when a child is sick. For example, when you have diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

Children and babies can experience dehydration because the fluid reserves in their body are still relatively small.

Signs of dehydration in children and babies

Although dehydration is a condition when a child's body is dehydrated, thirst is not always the first sign.

Dehydration in children and infants can also be divided into two categories, namely mild and severe.

The following are the characteristics or signs of a child who is dehydrated, including:

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration in children and infants

• Urinating less frequently (In infants, less than six wet diapers per day)
• Mouth feels dry
• Less tears when crying
• Seem less active like playing less
• The head becomes softer and looks sunken in a baby or toddler
• The stool will become thinner due to diarrhea
• If vomiting, there will be decreased bowel movements

Signs of severe dehydration in children and infants

• Being very fussy
• Looks more sleepy than usual
• The appearance of the eyes becomes more sunken
• The hands and feet become cold and change color
• The skin becomes more wrinkled
• Urinate only one to two times a day

Not only from the characteristics of dehydrated children mentioned above, here is the full explanation:

1. Pay attention to the general condition of your little one

How mild or severe the signs of dehydration can be seen at a glance from the general condition in children.

Usually in mild dehydration, the child is still conscious and very fussy. Children still want to drink because they are very thirsty.

If dehydration continues to a moderate level, the child can still look fussy, restless, but is lazy to drink.

Sometimes, he also looks sleepy. However, beware if the child is more sleepy, limp, sweats, and his or her hands are cold to blue.

That means the child's condition has reached a level of severe dehydration. The child may experience a loss of consciousness and will end up in a coma.

2. Notice the large crown

In the development of infants and children less than 2 years old, the big crown (UUB) has not closed completely.

Therefore, signs of dehydration in children can be seen quite clearly from the shape of the large crown.

In mild dehydration, the child's large crown shape still looks normal. Whereas in moderate dehydration, UUB looks sunken and gets more concave when dehydration is severe.

3. Watch the breathing pattern and count the pulse of the child

Respiratory patterns and pulse rates are also indicators to recognize symptoms of dehydration in children.

In mild dehydration, the breathing pattern and pulse are still normal, which is below 120 beats per minute.

However, if you have entered moderate dehydration, your breath begins to be deep and your pulse is fast and weak.

4. Pay attention to tears and mucous membranes

Tears are an indicator of the amount of body fluids. If the child is crying and still has tears, the symptoms of dehydration are still mild.

When the tears are gone, go into moderate dehydration. If the eyes are very dry, the child is already at the level of severe dehydration.

While the mucous membrane can be seen from the mouth. A sign of mild dehydration in a child, which shows that the mouth should still be moist.

When you are moderately to severely dehydrated, your mouth looks dry and gets very dry.

5. Pay attention to urine production

One sign of mild dehydration is that the urine of a child or baby looks yellow and he or she is still urinating frequently.

When the child reaches moderate to severe dehydration, the child is rarely urinating. Coupled with the color of urine that is getting darker.

The thing you need to pay attention to is the symptoms of severe dehydration in children and babies, they can no longer urinate.

What to do when you see symptoms of dehydration in children?

Quoted from Kids Health, parents really need to know the early signs of dehydration in children so they can respond quickly.

Treatment of a child with this condition depends on the level of dehydration they are experiencing.

Before immediately being taken to the doctor, provide fluid intake such as breast milk (for babies), milk, or mineral water.

Avoid intake of fluids with a high enough sugar content because they can worsen dehydration.

Then, if dehydration is caused by diarrhea, then you can give the child an ORS solution to restore hydration to the body.

If after 12 hours there has been no change or the child shows more signs of dehydration, then you should immediately take the child to the hospital for proper treatment.

Especially, if the symptoms of dehydration are experienced in babies under 6 months of age.

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