Dehydration signs

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Kids can’t always spot the early signs of dehydration like we can and if you don’t spot them early, there can be dangerous consequences.

Emergency pediatrician, Dr. Anthony Crocco says, on a summer day it’s essential to keep water on hand. And depending how active your kids are and how hot it is outside, they may need to drink twice as much water as usual.

Young kids don’t always recognize their own thirst, so remind them to take frequent water breaks. Crocco suggests keeping an eye out for early symptoms of dehydration. “Dry mouth, not peeing as much, or having very dark, concentrated urine. Those are things parents may want to pay particular attention to.”

Older kids who are playing sports and sweating more heavily will be losing both water and salt. They may need to recharge their electrolytes.

Every summer McMaster sees several cases of severe dehydration and the consequences can be serious. “Depending on what’s happening with the salt level in the body, if they’ve lost lots of salt or have gotten only water in return sometimes children can even have seizures and get quite comatose.”

So when you go outside in the heat, take frequent breaks in the shade and drink plenty of H20.