What is dehydration in children?

Dehydration is when the body does not have enough water to provide for its needs. This can happen if a child does not drink enough water, breast milk or formula.

Dehydration can also occur if a child loses fluids, which can happen during:

• diarrhea
• sweating
• vomiting

Symptoms of dehydration in kids are:

• cloudy thinking
• dry mucous membranes (like the skin in the mouth)
• feeling thirsty
• lack of tears
• rubbery skin

If you think your child is dehydrated, call the child's doctor right away.

Dehydration in children is the loss of body water. Dehydration occurs when your child loses more body water than he drinks. Body salts that your child needs, such as sodium, may be lost as well. Your child's dehydration may be mild, moderate or severe (very bad).