Infants and young children (under age 3) can dehydrate quickly, so they should be watched very carefully. Dehydration means that the body does not have enough water or liquids.

Signs of mild dehydration:

• Dry eyes and crying with few tears or no tears
• Fewer wet diapers than usual
• Less active than usual or irritable
• Slightly dry mouth

Signs of moderate dehydration:

• Dry skin that is not springy
• Sluggish or lethargic
• Sunken appearing eyes

Signs of severe dehydration:

• No urine output in 8 hours
• Skin that is pinched between fingers fails to spring back to its original shape
• Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the head) in infants
• Very lethargic or possibly unconscious

HOME CARE

Make sure the child gets plenty of liquids.

• If you are nursing, the doctor will probably recommend that you continue nursing. Breast-feeding helps prevent diarrhea, and it also speeds recovery.
• If your baby still seems thirsty after or between nursing or feeding sessions, you can add an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte. Often, your pediatrician will recommend extra fluids that contain electrolytes. Follow the doctor's instructions. Do not use sports drinks for young infants.

Talk to your pediatrician right away if there are signs of dehydration. If the infant develops signs of moderate or severe dehydration, he or she should be seen right away.

The following can help prevent diaper rash:

• Air drying
• Frequent diaper changes
• Protective ointments and creams, such as Desitin
• Rinsing the bottom with water

Cut down on baby wipes during diarrhea.

Call your pediatritian if:

• A newborn (under 3 months old) has diarrhea
• Diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or puss
• Fever and diarrhea last for more than 3 days
• The child appears dehydrated
• The child has more than 8 stools in 8 hours
• The diarrhea does not go away in older infants or lasts in children for 2 days or longer
• Vomiting continues for more than 24 hours

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Diapers and diarrhea

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Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)