Water Intoxication In Infants. The nutrients inside his body are in perfect balance. Here are some signs meanwhile if the baby is dehydrated. Water intoxication happens when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the body upsetting the electrolyte balance and causing tissues to swell. In terms of drinking water it is always best to ask your pediatrician about the amount allowed for your baby.
Between 1975 and 1990 a total of 34 patients with water intoxication were treated at St Louis Mo Childrens Hospital 24 of these in the last 3 years indicating a marked increase in incidence of this previously rare condition. While it is for adults this is not true for babies. This is known as water intoxication or poisoning 11. For healthy adults nothing seems to quench a thirst better than plain pure water. How much water can cause water intoxication in babies. Thats because their kidneys arent yet mature so giving.
In serious cases water intoxication in infants may even lead to a coma.
When to Give Your Baby Water. According to the Pediatrics journal as little as 8 oz 240 mL of plain water in a day in addition to breastfeeding or formulacan cause a drop of blood sodium levels dilutional hyponatremia in an infant younger than 6 months. While it may seem harmless practices like diluting formula or breast milk with water can lead to death from water intoxication in infants. In 1993 two infants were treated at a pediatric referral hospital in Wisconsin for hyponatremic seizures caused by water intoxication associated with bottled drinking water. When your baby eats and drinks it is on an as-needed basis only. In serious cases water intoxication in infants may even lead to a coma.