Oral rehydration

When it fits

Oral rehydration is the method of choice for mild to moderate dehydration in a child who can drink. At these levels it is safer than, and as effective as, the intravenous route.

How to give it

• use a ready-made low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution, not a home-made salt mixture;

• give it often and in small amounts — a spoonful or a sip every few minutes;

• continue age-appropriate feeding and breastfeeding;

• replace ongoing losses: add a volume after each loose stool or vomit.

What does not fit

• sugary fizzy drinks and juices — they worsen diarrhoea;

• plain water without salts when losses are significant;

• force-feeding large volumes at once — it provokes vomiting.

When to see a doctor

• signs of severe dehydration;

• persistent vomiting, the child cannot keep fluids down;

• blood in the stool, high fever;

• profuse diarrhoea in a child under 6 months.

Related topics

How to judge the severity of dehydration — see Assessing dehydration.