What are the Causes of Dehydration in Children?
Dehydration is usually associated with viral infections such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting that makes decreased ability to drink or eat. Common viral infections induce vomiting and diarrhea includes rotavirus, adenovirus and Norwalk virus. Sometimes sores in a child’s mouth that is caused by a virus make it impossible and painful to eat or drink, which induce or worsen dehydration.
Some Parasitic infections such as Giardia lamblia induce the condition known as giardiasis , which can cause diarrhea and fluid loss. Due to climate variations increased sweating from a very hot environment can cause dehydration. Excessive urination cause poorly treated or not recognized diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus. Some conditions such as celiac sprue or cystic fibrosis do not allow food to be absorbed and can also induce dehydration.
Certain bacterial infections may cause vomiting and diarrhea that make a child less likely to eat and drink. Some of the common bacterial infections include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile.
Home treatment
Most children become dehydrated because of vomiting or diarrhea caused by a viral infection. The best way is to hydrate them with fluid replacement that is by giving plenty of fluids while the child is ill. Even if your child is vomiting all that is given, keep on giving enough fluid to avoid dehydration. If you are breastfeeding, you may continue to breastfeed during the illness.
The best suitable fluid replacement for children younger than two years includes Pedialyte freezer pops, Pedialyte, Rehydralyte, or any such product designed to replace electrolytes, fluids and sugar. These products are available from any drug and most large grocery stores.
You can prepare oral rehydration fluid on your own using the following ingredients. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon table salt, 1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (lite salt) and 4 tablespoons sugar dissolved in 1 liter (a little over a quart) of water.
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