Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much water. This can occur if a child loses large amounts of fluid through diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Dehydration decreases the amount of blood that circulates to the child's organs.
Dehydration in small children can develop rapidly and be very dangerous. Watch closely for early signs of dehydration any time your child has a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or is too sick to drink.
A young child will not be able to tell you if he or she is feeling dehydrated, so you must look for the symptoms.
Severe dehydration means:
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
Moderate dehydration means:
Mild dehydration means:
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Revised | May 2, 2011 |