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What Causes Tiredness And Dehydration In An Infant?
My 18 mth old son seems to have had food poisoining from possibly fish pie containing seafood following his tea. Been sick every hour through the night, now extremely tired, upset and dehydrated and wanting to drink lots of water. Shall I give it to him even if he can t keep it down, if not, is there anything else pls?
Mon, 30 Apr 2018
Hello,
When an infant is doing much vomiting, he is not only losing water from his body but also essential salts. So water alone is not sufficient.
I do not know where you are, but if your young boy is drinking tea, I would say you are either in Great Britain or in India. A standard of care in the USA for an infant losing fluid is a salt containing liquid like Pedialyte or Enfalyte.
There are others, but these are the ones most commonly used in the USA. Do not attempt to make this at home. The manufacturers have mixed in the right salts in the right concentrations for the infant's body. These are available over the counter at a supermarket or pharmacy.
If he continues to wet his diaper at usual frequency, makes tears when cries, has moist lips, tongue, and mouth then he is not severely dehydrated, and you can attempt to treat him at home. Start off slowly. Offer One ounce every 10 to 15 minutes.
If no vomiting, after an hour, offer one and a half oz every 15 minutes. Still no vomiting, after the second hour, offers two OZ every 15 to 20 minutes. Then two and a half oz every 15 to 20 minutes. In the next hour, three OZ every 20 minutes. If he vomits during this period, you can refeed the Pedialyte.
Following this, let him sleep. Giving more liquid when he wakens. By noontime, you can add Jello and Popsicles, continuing Pedialyte as he wishes. If he continues doing well and seems hungry, then, by late afternoon you can return him to his regular diet.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Arnold Zedd
When an infant is doing much vomiting, he is not only losing water from his body but also essential salts. So water alone is not sufficient.
I do not know where you are, but if your young boy is drinking tea, I would say you are either in Great Britain or in India. A standard of care in the USA for an infant losing fluid is a salt containing liquid like Pedialyte or Enfalyte.
There are others, but these are the ones most commonly used in the USA. Do not attempt to make this at home. The manufacturers have mixed in the right salts in the right concentrations for the infant's body. These are available over the counter at a supermarket or pharmacy.
If he continues to wet his diaper at usual frequency, makes tears when cries, has moist lips, tongue, and mouth then he is not severely dehydrated, and you can attempt to treat him at home. Start off slowly. Offer One ounce every 10 to 15 minutes.
If no vomiting, after an hour, offer one and a half oz every 15 minutes. Still no vomiting, after the second hour, offers two OZ every 15 to 20 minutes. Then two and a half oz every 15 to 20 minutes. In the next hour, three OZ every 20 minutes. If he vomits during this period, you can refeed the Pedialyte.
Following this, let him sleep. Giving more liquid when he wakens. By noontime, you can add Jello and Popsicles, continuing Pedialyte as he wishes. If he continues doing well and seems hungry, then, by late afternoon you can return him to his regular diet.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Arnold Zedd
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