Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was diagnosed with dehydration in the ED. This is when the body loses too much water and salt. It is also called "hypovolemia." It can happen when a child vomits too much or has a lot of diarrhea. Sweating too much or urinating more than normal can also cause dehydration.
Your child's body needs the right balance of water and salt to work normally. They can lose more water and salt than they take in by eating and drinking. If they cannot make up for this with what they eat and drink, the doctors will need to replace the fluids they have lost.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Offer your child small amounts of fluids every 15 to 30 minutes. This will help keep them well hydrated. Offer your baby regular feedings of breast milk or formula. Good fluids for older children are water, apple juice diluted with water, and oral electrolyte solutions.
●If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting, give them extra fluids once they can drink.
●Have your child suck on small ice chips if they are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You cannot wake your child.
•Your child passes out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast, and has 1 or more of these symptoms of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
-They do not urinate for 24 hours.
-Their eyes are sunken.
-The soft spot on their head is sunken (for babies).
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child cannot keep any fluids down, has not drank anything in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your baby has not had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated in the past 6 to 8 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your child is having trouble eating normally.
●Your child has a dry mouth.
●Your child has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your child's urine is dark.
●Your child is less active than normal.
●Your child has diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days.
●Your child vomits for longer than 1 day.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
