child dehydration?

Question

How long would it take a healthy toddler to get dehydrated?

I am not looking for info on an ill child, only healthy.

Answer 1

Different factors are involved. Here is some useful information:

"AGE 11, AND YOUNGER
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. Severe dehydration can cause shock, a life-threatening condition.

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.

A CHILD WITH MILD DEHYDRATION:

Is fussy.
Acts hungry or thirsty most of the time.
Urinates less frequently than usual or needs fewer diaper changes. The urine will have a strong odor and be dark yellow.

A CHILD WITH MODERATE DEHYDRATION:

Has decreased interest in play.
Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) in the head.
Has sunken eyes with few tears. The child's mouth is dry, with little or no saliva.
Appears to be very hungry or thirsty.
Is irritable, agitated, or restless.
Has not urinated for 8 hours or has urinated fewer than 3 times (had fewer than 3 wet diapers) in 24 hours.
May have arms or legs that feel cool to the touch.
May have a rapid heartbeat.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

A CHILD WITH SEVER DEHYDRATION:

Has little or no interest in his or her surroundings.
May be so sleepy that he or she is difficult to wake up.
May be unconscious.
Has a dry mouth and tongue. The child's tongue may look parched or cracked.
Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on top of the head.
Has sunken eyes without tears.
Has fast breathing and a rapid heartbeat. You may not be able to feel the child's pulse.
Has not urinated for more than 12 hours."

"When a child has diarrhea or is vomiting, it is important to prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions (ORSs) are used to prevent or correct dehydration in young children. ORSs contain the right mix of salt, sugar, potassium, and other minerals to help replace lost fluids. Several products, such as Pedialyte, Infalyte, and Rehydralyte, are available (to be given in the first 4 to 6 hours after diarrhea or vomiting has started.

Allow your child to drink as much fluid as he or she wants. Small amounts at frequent intervals are usually better tolerated. Replace any additional fluid lost through diarrhea or vomiting.

Watch for signs of dehydration. If your child develops signs of dehydration, increase the amount of fluid you are giving."

"NEWBORNS AND BABIES THROUGH 1 YEAR OF AGE
Don't wait until signs of dehydration develop to replace lost fluids.

If you breast-feed your baby, continue at more frequent intervals to replace lost fluids. Give an oral rehydration solution (ORS) between feedings only if signs of dehydration develop.
If you use a bottle to feed your baby, increase the frequency of feedings to make up for lost fluids. The amount of extra fluid your baby needs depends on your baby's size and the severity of his or her diarrhea. For example, a newborn may need as little as 1 fl oz(29.6 mL) at each extra feeding while a 12 month old baby may need as much as 3 fl oz(88.7 mL) at each extra feeding. Give an ORS between feedings only if signs of dehydration develop.
If signs of mild or moderate dehydration develop, the amount of breast milk, formula, or ORS your baby needs depends on his or her weight and the degree of dehydration present. You can give the ORS in a dropper, spoon, or bottle. Continue to give the ORS until your baby's stools return to normal.
If your baby has started eating cereal, you may replace lost fluids with cereal. Offer the cereal mixture after each diarrhea stool. You may also offer any other foods that your child has had before."

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It depends on the child, the heat, and what the child's activity is. The child who runs around in the heat will dehydrate more quickly than the child who plays trucks in the shade on a hot day.

Answer 3

If he is vomiting and having diaherrea, a matter of just a few hours. Little kids bodies are so small that they have NO RESERVES, so if the kid is sick, get OFF THE COMPUTER and take him to a doctor.

signs and symptoms of dehydration are sunken eyes, warm, dry skin, rapid breathing, irritibility, lack of urination and lack of tears with crying.

The kid needs fluids, give either plain water or an electrolyght solution prepared for kids. kool aid and pop have too much sugar and will actually make things worse.

Answer 4

Not long at all. Why? If you think your child may be dehydrated, get him to the doctor. Dehydration can cause death, especially in small children.

If you are thinking of dehydrating your child on purpose, please don't. Take your child to a friend, relative, or any place that he will be safe until you are feeling better.

Answer 5

all depends, as everyone is different. does the child play hard, always extremely active ect, or kind of quiet. Some can walk a block and need a lot of water, while others seem to be able to play for a long period of times. you might want to check with the peditrician for answer.

Answer 6

It depends how long he/she has been without their fluids, and rather or not they are running a temp.
Water and pedialite are the best things to give them for dehydration, stay away with anything that contains sugar.

Answer 7

Depending on their overall condition (size of the child, activity level, etc.) at the starting point - it could be a matter of hours or a couple of days.

Answer 8

It can take as little as 12 hours with severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Answer 9

our city did but it was only in the paper. my kid does-she comes home red n white n pasty. here they say 8 out of 10 kids are in 2 hours.

Answer 10

It can happen in a matter of hours, if they get sick.