Children Are More Prone To Dehydration, Get To Know The 5 Reasons

Illustration of causes of dehydration in children (Unsplash/Johnny McClung)

JAKARTA – Dehydration is characterized by dry mouth and persistent thirst. These signs are actually not only experienced by adults, even children are classified as more susceptible to experiencing a lack of body fluids.

As reported by Orami, dehydration occurs when the body fluids that enter are not balanced with those that go out. The causes can be various, such as lack of drinking, sweating, and diarrhea. In children, the following reasons make them prone to dehydration.

1. The immune system has not worked optimally

Of the 450 children studied by the University of Sheffield Medical School in 2012, less hydrated. Another study in France also noted that 62.2 percent of children lack fluid in the body and 64 percent in America.

Children easily get flu and diarrhea. This is due to the immune system that has not worked optimally. But actually, it can be pursued by increasing nutritional intake in children.

If the child has diarrhea, this causes a significant drop in body fluids.

2. Children need more electrolytes

Metabolic work and body surface gain according to BMI contribute to fluid turnover. So, it requires adequate hydration.

Authors of Water: For Health, For Healing, For Life: You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty, Dr.F. Batmanghelidj writes that growth requires more hydration. Growing body cells need water.

3. Children move a lot

When they start to walk and are more than 2 years old, children are actively exploring the surrounding environment. They will be actively moving so they sweat and need to drink more mineral water.

4. Children are not yet aware of the indications of dehydration

Children often need to be reminded by their parents to drink enough. Because they don't really know what dehydration is and what happens to their bodies when they don't have enough fluids.

Parents are also expected to explain that drinking mineral water is healthier than drinking flavored drinks.

According to a study by The European Food Safety Authority, boys aged 9-13 years need 2.1 liters of fluid per day. While girls need 1.9 liters per day.

5. Children are still growing

To support the growth process optimally, children need adequate hydration. According to Michael Farrell, MD, chief of staff at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati, children urinate more frequently.

This marks the kidneys in the development period so that they excrete more urine volume and are prone to dehydration.

Due to the five reasons mentioned above, parents need to remind and provide mineral water to meet the fluid needs of their children's bodies. Parents should also explain that sugary drinks, soda, tea can worsen the condition of lack of fluids.