Dehydration (Child)
Dehydration occurs when too much fluid has been lost from the body. This may occur from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, or during a high fever. It may also be due to poor fluid intake during times of illness. Symptoms include thirst, dizziness, weakness and fatigue, or drowsiness. Body fluids must be replaced with an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is available without a prescription at pharmacy and most grocery stores.
Watch your child for signs of dehydration, including:
Home care
For vomiting, with or without diarrhea
To treat vomiting, give small amounts of fluids at frequent intervals.
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Start with ORS at room temperature. Give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters [ml]) every 1 to 2 minutes. Even if your child vomits, keep feeding as directed. Much of the fluid will still be absorbed. The goal is to give 5 teaspoons per pound or 50 ml per kilogram (ml/kg) over 4 hours. If you have a 20-pound child, this will mean giving 100 teaspoons of ORS, or just over 2 cups of liquid total over 4 hours.
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As vomiting lessens, give larger amounts of ORS at longer intervals. Continue this until your child is making urine and is no longer thirsty (has no interest in drinking). Don't give your child plain water, milk, formula, or other liquids until vomiting stops.
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If frequent vomiting continues for more than 4 hours with the above method, call your child's health care provider.
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After the total ORS is given, your child can go back to a regular diet.
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Make sure to wash hands (with soap and clean running water) or use an alcohol-based hand gel sanitizer frequently.
Note: Your child may be thirsty and want to drink faster. But if they're vomiting, give fluids only at the prescribed rate. The idea is not to fill the stomach with each feeding since this will cause more vomiting.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child's health care provider, or as advised. Call if your child doesn't improve within 24 hours or if diarrhea lasts more than 1 week. If a stool (diarrhea) sample was taken, you may call in 2 days (or as directed) for the results.
When to get medical advice
Call your child’s health care provider right away if your child has:
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Repeated vomiting after the first 4 hours on fluids.
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Occasional vomiting for more than 48 hours.
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Frequent diarrhea (more than 5 times a day), blood in diarrhea (red or black color), or mucus in diarrhea.
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Blood in their vomit or stool.
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A swollen belly (abdomen) or signs of belly pain.
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No urine for 8 hours, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or dry mouth.
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Abnormal behavior changes, fussiness, drowsiness, confusion, or seizure.
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A fever (see Fever and children, below).
Call 911
Call 911 if your child:
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
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Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
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Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The health care provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
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Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.
Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel okay using a rectal thermometer, ask the health care provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your young child has a fever. Your child’s provider may give you different numbers for your child. Follow your provider’s specific instructions.
Fever readings for a baby under 3 months old:
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First, ask your child’s provider how you should take the temperature.
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Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
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Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher.
Fever readings for a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher.
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Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
Call the health care provider in these cases:
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A repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age.
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A fever of 100.4° (38°C) or higher in a baby younger than 3 months.
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A fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2.
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A fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older.