Question
What are the symptoms of dehydration in babies with diarrhea?
Answer
When a baby has diarrhea, parents should observe for signs of dehydration. Mild dehydration may manifest as the baby being easily irritable, crying frequently, feeling thirsty, having fewer tears, and a decrease in urine output. The baby’s eyes may appear slightly sunken, and the skin may feel slightly dry; when pinched, it will retract slowly. Moderate to severe dehydration can show as the baby being listless, restless or drowsy, with severe cases possibly leading to coma. The baby may exhibit weak limbs, no tears when crying, or dry mouth. The eyes may be significantly sunken, urine output significantly reduced or absent, and the skin may take longer to retract when pinched. The baby may also suddenly appear significantly thinner, with a weight loss of about 3%-10% or more.