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Dehydration in Children

Dehydration in Children Overview

Dehydration means that a child's body lacks enough fluid. Dehydration can result from not drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, or any combination of these conditions. Rarely, sweating too much or urinating too much can cause dehydration . Infants and small children are much more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose relatively more fluid quickly.



Next: Causes of Dehydration in Children »

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Dehydration in Children

Gastroenteritis Overview

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). Diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are the most common symptoms.

Viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis but bacteria, parasites, and food-borne illness (such as shellfish) can be the offending agent.

Many people who experience the vomiting and diarrhea that develop from these types of infections or irritations think they have "food poisoning," and they may indeed have a food-borne illness. Many people also refer to gastroenteritis as "stomach flu," although influenza has nothing to do with the condition.

Travelers to foreign countries may experience "traveler's diarrhea" from contaminated food and unclean water.

  • The severity of infectious gastroenteritis depends on the immune system's ability to resist the infection...

Read the Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Dehydration »

Dehydration describes a state of negative fluid balance that may be caused by numerous disease entities.

Read More on eMedicine »

Medical Dictionary