Your kid has been having a lot of fun outside in the summer sun all afternoon. You give them some water, but they still appear fatigued and simply not themselves. You give them some water, and they seem content until the car ride home when they complain of feeling especially thirsty and "strange." You question whether you should give your kid an electrolyte beverage. You may have heard that replenishing the electrolyte balance—essential minerals like salt, calcium, and potassium that are frequently lost while sweating—is crucial when water alone isn't sufficient to rehydrate you. After all, you have drunk electrolyte beverages yourself after working out at the gym. However, you are aware that children are not mini adults, therefore what may be prescribed for an adult with dehydration may not be suitable for a child. So what do you need to do? How frequently do children lose electrolytes in the summer heat? Can you administer electrolytes to kids, and if so, how? Simply put, electrolytes are vital nutrients for children who are dehydrated. If your child exhibits any signs of severe dehydration, such as dizziness, excessive tiredness, sunken eyes, or decreased urination, you should get in touch with your doctor right once.
Your bodily fluids contain electrolytes. They assist with a variety of vital physical processes, including maintaining your body's water balance. Additionally, electrolytes maintain the pH balance of your body, carry nutrients into your cells, and support healthy heart, brain, nerve, and muscle function. In other words, everyone needs electrolytes to survive, including kids. Children naturally obtain electrolytes from the foods they eat. Fruits and vegetables including bananas, avocados, oranges, strawberries, melon, and watermelon are typical food sources for electrolytes, according to the expert. Under normal circumstances, all that is required to fulfill your daily electrolyte need is a nutritious meal and a enough amount of water. If your child is vomiting and has diarrhea, they may need more electrolytes. If they are perspiring a lot, they might additionally need electrolytes because intense exercise causes some electrolytes to be lost. However, it goes beyond the particular activity that your child has been engaged in. According to Dr. Bonhoeffer, you should also consider your child and search for indicators of dehydration when determining whether electrolytes are required. He says that a decrease in urination is the first symptom to watch for. This would result in fewer wet diapers than usual for infants and young children. Lessening tears, sunken eyes, and a sunken fontanelle—the soft region on a young child's scalp—are further warning indicators to look out for.
The symptoms of excessive weariness in older children may include a dry mouth or tongue, less frequent urine, a quick heartbeat, and additional fussiness. Call your healthcare practitioner as soon as you notice the first signs of dehydration. According to studies, even a 4% fluid deficit can result in headaches, irritation, tiredness, a rise in body temperature, and fast breathing. Before giving your child an electrolyte supplement, you should always talk to your pediatrician, especially if they have been ill or are exhibiting severe dehydration symptoms. Your doctor can advise you on how frequently and in what quantity to give your child electrolyte supplements. Due to the fact that electrolytes are water-soluble by nature, it is normally exceedingly difficult to overdose or obtain an excessive amount. Additionally, the body naturally eliminates extra electrolytes when they are ingested in excess. That does not imply that electrolyte supplementation is without risk. Many electrolyte drinks, especially those marketed as sports drinks, contain substances that are unsuitable for young children, according to Dr. Poinsett.
It's crucial to keep in mind that there are other options besides electrolyte drinks for replenishing your child's electrolytes. Electrolytes are naturally present in your child's food; therefore, increasing them and providing your child with simple water may be all that is necessary to replenish lost electrolytes. Y you may obtain electrolytes naturally from fruits like oranges, bananas, and kiwis. Electrolytes can also be found in vegetables like cucumber and spinach. Unsweetened coconut water is a fantastic natural supply of electrolytes, according to Dr. Bonhoeffer. It may also be beneficial to season the coconut water with a pinch of salt. As an alternative, you can also add fruits like watermelon or bananas to lemon water.
In cases of severe dehydration, doctors frequently prescribe supplementing with electrolytes. However, administering electrolyte drinks to children who are mildly dehydrated, such as those who are playing outside in the summer heat, is not recommended. Plain water and healthy fruits and vegetables should be enough to keep your child's fluid and electrolyte balance in check. It might not always be possible for you to determine whether your child is suffering from more serious dehydration. If you have a gut feeling that your child's "strange" behavior is being caused by dehydration, you should trust your instinct. A call to your pediatrician is always a good idea, and if you think your child is in instant danger, visits an urgent care center or the emergency room.
ZS DMO II Karla P. Calapardo, RND
References:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/children-and-electrolytes-everything-you-need-to-know-5191752
