Everything you need to know about Pedialyte for kids

Pedialyte for kids

Everything you need to know about Pedialyte for kids

Pedialyte is an oral rehydration solution (ORS) used to help prevent or reverse dehydration in children.

It contains water, sugar, and minerals, making it more effective than water at replacing fluids lost due to illness or excessive sweating .

Pedialyte is widely available and can be purchased without a prescription. As a result, many parents rely on the beverage to keep their babies and children hydrated throughout bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, or other illnesses.

However, giving Pedialyte to infants and young children may carry some risk.

Effective at treating dehydration

Healthy newborns and infants are generally able to drink sufficient amounts of breastmilk or formula to remain hydrated.

Once weaned, toddlers and preschoolers stay hydrated by drinking a variety of fluids like water, milk, juice, smoothies, and soups.

However, when ill, children can refuse to drink, which increases their risk of dehydration. What’s more, illness accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea can cause your child to lose more fluids than usual, further worsening the problem.

Through sweat, vomiting, or diarrhea, children lose not only water but also electrolytes minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride which are essential for maintaining the body’s fluid balance. When treating dehydration, it’s important to replenish both .

Because plain water is low in electrolytes, it’s usually less effective at treating moderate or severe cases of dehydration than an electrolyte-containing ORS like Pedialyte .

Pedialyte also contains a specific concentration of sugar that has been shown to increase the absorption of fluid and electrolytes in the gut .

Dosage instructions 

The optimal dose of Pedialyte is influenced by a variety of factors. Hence, it’s always best to consult your child’s pediatrician for individualized advice. Infants under the age of 1 should only be given this drink under medical supervision.

Safty 

Pedialyte is generally considered safe for children over the age of 1 when properly mixed, stored in the refrigerator, and consumed or discarded within 48 hours. It should only be given to children under the age of 1 under medical supervision.

SUMMARY 

Pedialyte is an oral rehydration solution (ORS) used to minimize or treat dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or poor fluid intake due to illness.

Offering it to your child alongside breastfeeding or formula feeding appears to be as effective as IV fluids at treating mild to moderate levels of dehydration and preventing hospitalization.

Parents are encouraged to keep an ORS, such as Pedialyte, on hand and offer it to their children at the first signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. However, this is best done under the guidance of a medical professional, especially for babies under the age of 1.

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24564...

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