Worried about a child with pica who eats salt & likes to drink salty water?

Question

What is a dangerous amount of salt for a 4 year old?

How would I recognize symptoms of salt poisoning?

How quickly would he need to be taken to the doctors?

I am getting a lot of good answers, but to questions I didn't ask.

I am not asking for info on long-term problems with eating too much salt, or about the cause of pica. That is a different question.

I am asking if I should be concerned there may be an emergency situation one day if he consumes to much salt.

Would I need to call 911? How would I know when?

ER Nurse

Thanks for answering at least part of my question. (symptoms)

But how much is "quite a bit" ?

How much would would warrent at call to 911? A teaspoon? A tablespoon? A half a cup?

I'm in the habit of making my salt water gargle very strong (2 or 3T) when I have a sore throat. Would that be dangerous?

Greydoc

I am concerned about longterm consequences, but that wasn't the specific question for today.

And I want to make certain he makes it longterm & doesn't die of a salt overdose if I turn my back at the wrong time.

Answer 1

I think that a pediatrician should do careful blood pressure measurements. Excessive early salt intake can result in high blood pressure in childhood and later.

Also, the pediatrician should consider a mild case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency). Most of us in the medical profession think of this condition as a life-threatening emergency in the newborn period, but Dr. Maria Neu and others have shown that there are milder forms. Many affected children are "salt-losers" and may crave salt that they lose in the urine. The most obviously affected children are excessively masculinized, but this is not necessary for the condition to be present. It's been a decade or more since I heard Dr. Neu speak, but I believe she stated that the condition was more common than generally believed.

Salt craving to a mild extent may just be a normal aberration, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia is relatively uncommon, but I wouldn't blow salt-craving off without some investigation.

Toddlers with pica should also be tested for iron deficiency and for elevated blood lead levels.

Edit after your additional comments. There is no specific amount of salt that is dangerous. It depends on many factors, such as fluid intake, age, size, and kidney function. You would have to get serum electrolytes - a blood test - to determine if the sodium level is elevated. Signs of sodium excess include muscle twitching and convulsions, leading to coma.

I don't mean to push your buttons, but you should worry about long-term consequences of excess salt intake.

Answer 2

You need to watch the child's electrolytes especially salty water. The child could develop an electrolyte imbalance in which you would see confusion and uncoordination in the child. An electrolyte imbalance in serious as it could cause damage to the electrical cycle of the heart. It usually takes quite a bit of salt to do this. It all depends on how much the child is taking in over what amount of time. I would take him to your pediatrician and express your concerns. There may possibly be an underlying cause for the increased salt intake that your doctor could investigate further.

Answer 3

first of all if he's 4, you will desire to be waiting to limit his get entry to to salt. Why on earth would you supply him salt water?! i do no longer think of an ingesting affliction is the project right here (this would count variety as %., yet I doubt it). i'd get him to a physician till now a month from now for blood tests to benefit for liver or kidney issues. tell them he seems to have a salt intake project. too plenty salt will dehydrate your new child and in severe situations reason heart issues or maybe cardiac arrest. he would act disoriented or sense like his heart replaced into racing. in case you ever sense the would desire to pass to the ER you mostly get there as immediately as risk-free practices will enable. ok- purchase NON-IODIZED salt. i'd be greater traumatic approximately iodine poisioning over salt content fabric at that element. The physique is rather effecient at getting rid of salt. i would not save greater advantageous than say, a tablespoon in a shaker. in many circumstances the physique will purge (or attempt to) something that it would not like or has in extra. So specific, if he ingests a tablespoon or greater, he will probable throw up. in case you suspected he have been given into it, supply him numerous water and watch him heavily. returned, seek for signs and warning signs of misery like confusion, disorientation, lethargy, atypical heart rhythm (you are able to place 2 hands on his neck, only below the jaw) or very speedy heartbeat which may well be signs and warning signs of deyhdration and salt imbalance. by using the years, too plenty salt content fabric can bring about intense blood tension and urinary/kidney issues. If giving him water would not advance his difficulty interior, say 0.5 an hour, i'd visit the ER. save the huge area of salt way intense (magnificent of the refrigerator?) or lock the cupboard with infant locks. A Tablespooon or much less probable won't injury him, yet would make him dehydrated. A salt gargle is good with a million teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of water. he will probable advance out of this diploma.

Answer 4

Talk to your doctor about this. Keep salt out of his reach as well. If he was diagnosed with pica, try to start getting his symptoms under control by coming up with behavior intervention plans with your doctor as well.

Also, I think there's a big different between iodized and noniodized salt, not sure though.