Quick guide to ... Dehydration

18 October 2010 1 min read Health

Research has found children who do not drink enough water do not perform as well as they should in school. Dehydration means a child's body lacks enough fluid. It occurs when the normal water content of the body is reduced, upsetting the balance of minerals in the body fluid. Many of the body's cells depend on these minerals being maintained at the correct levels. It can result from not drinking, vomiting, diarrhoea, or any combination of these conditions

Babies and young children are more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose liquid more quickly and are sensitive to even small amounts of fluid loss

Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, decreased frequency of urination, no tears when the child cries, lethargy and irritability. A doctor should be contacted if a child has no urine output for four to six hours or if they have been vomiting for more than 24 hours

To treat dehydration, a child should be given plenty of fluids. Children over two can be given flat fizzy drinks and should be given a few sips every few minutes. Medical treatment may be needed if a child is severely dehydrated

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