Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

How Much Water Should Your Child Be Drinking?

Been wondering if your child has been consuming too much or too little <span>water</span> each day?

According to Dr Keerti Kulkarni, a Telangana-based pediatrician, toddlers should be consuming about 100ml per kg of water every day, school children should drink up to 90ml per kg and teenagers should take in up to 60ml per kg. 

In a lengthy Instagram post, she noted that about 20 percent of their daily required <span>water intake</span> comes from food includng fruits, vegetables, soups and parents should be mindful not to provide children with excess water. 

<span>Dr Kulkarani</span> also said that there are exceptions for underweight children who have any other medical issues, such as kidney problems or if they are on any regular medication. 

The expert warned:  "Breastfed or formula-fed babies do not need extra water before solid foods and giving extra water to young infants can be dangerous and may cause low sodium levels."

<h2>What Are Signs Of Dehydration In Children?</h2>

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, impairing normal function. In children, signs include:

 <ul><li>Dry or sticky mouth</li><li>Few or no tears when crying</li><li>Eyes that look sunken</li><li>In babies, the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head looks sunken</li><li>Darker pee, peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usual</li><li>Crankiness</li><li>Drowsiness or dizziness</li><li>Rapid heartbeat</li></ul>Treatment for dehydration depends on how severe it is. Kids with mild dehydration can get extra liquids at home. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the emergency room (ER) or hospital.

<h2>Why Is Drinking Excessive Water Dangerous?</h2>

Drinking excessive water can lead to <span>water intoxication</span>, causing symptoms like confusion, nausea, and seizures; severe cases may be fatal. Water intoxication, also termed hyperhydration, water poisoning or water toxaemia, develops when an individual drinks much more water than the kidneys can excrete. 

The main function of the kidneys in the human body is the processing and excretion of excess water. However, the human kidneys can process only up to 0.8 to 1.0L of water at a time. Drinking an amount that exceeds this may overwhelm the kidneys and put the electrolyte balance out of sync in the human body.

Electrolytes, especially sodium, are essential in maintaining fluid balance within and outside cells. <span>Hyponatremia</span> is a condition in which sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, resulting from excessive water intake. This causes water to shift into cells, swelling them. In the brain, this can cause severe complications, including coma or even death.

Symptoms of water intoxication vary from mild to severe. Early symptoms are often similar to dehydration, which makes self-diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:

<ul><li>Headaches</li><li>Nausea and vomiting</li><li>Muscle cramps or weakness</li><li>Fatigue or drowsiness</li><li>Confusion and disorientation</li></ul>In more serious cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, or swelling in the brain. These complications can be fatal if left untreated.

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Been wondering if your child has been consuming too much or too little water each day?According to Dr Keerti Kulkarni, a Telangana-based pediatrician, toddlers should be consuming about 100ml per kg of water every day, school children should drink up to 90ml per kg and teenagers should take in up to 60ml per kg. In a lengthy Instagram post, she noted that about 20 percent of their daily required water intake comes from food includng fruits, vegetables, soups and parents should be mindful not to provide children with excess water. Dr Kulkarani also said that there are exceptions for underweight children who have any other medical issues, such as kidney problems or if they are on any regular medication. The expert warned:  "Breastfed or formula-fed babies do not need extra water before solid foods and giving extra water to young infants can be dangerous and may cause low sodium levels."What Are Signs Of Dehydration In Children?Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, impairing normal function. In children, signs include: Dry or sticky mouthFew or no tears when cryingEyes that look sunkenIn babies, the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head looks sunkenDarker pee, peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usualCrankinessDrowsiness or dizzinessRapid heartbeatTreatment for dehydration depends on how severe it is. Kids with mild dehydration can get extra liquids at home. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the emergency room (ER) or hospital.Why Is Drinking Excessive Water Dangerous?Drinking excessive water can lead to water intoxication, causing symptoms like confusion, nausea, and seizures; severe cases may be fatal. Water intoxication, also termed hyperhydration, water poisoning or water toxaemia, develops when an individual drinks much more water than the kidneys can excrete. The main function of the kidneys in the human body is the processing and excretion of excess water. However, the human kidneys can process only up to 0.8 to 1.0L of water at a time. Drinking an amount that exceeds this may overwhelm the kidneys and put the electrolyte balance out of sync in the human body.Electrolytes, especially sodium, are essential in maintaining fluid balance within and outside cells. Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, resulting from excessive water intake. This causes water to shift into cells, swelling them. In the brain, this can cause severe complications, including coma or even death.Symptoms of water intoxication vary from mild to severe. Early symptoms are often similar to dehydration, which makes self-diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:HeadachesNausea and vomitingMuscle cramps or weaknessFatigue or drowsinessConfusion and disorientationIn more serious cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, or swelling in the brain. These complications can be fatal if left untreated.