Preventing Dehydration and Heat-Related Problems in Children

Children who play Back to School sports and practice during the hot weather are at risk of developing dehydration and various heat-related illnesses.

Parents can help prevent dehydration in their young athletes with a little extra education for themselves, the coaches and the refs on how to hydrate and watching for signs of dehydration.

Why Be Concerned about Dehydration

My daughters have started playing soccer again practicing and playing in temperatures that have been over 95. I've been concerned about them getting dehydrated during the hot afternoon practices and games here in California.

One of my daughters became dehydrated during the game because we didn't know we could ask the coaches to request a water break. We thought that the coaches and officials would be more aware of the need to ensure that the kids playing in the hot sun got adequate water and heat relief breaks.

Even though we thought she'd had enough water after the game she still complained about being 'dizzy' several times the next day after their game. She was also acting a little different, not exactally confused. This was an indication that she was still dehydrated. We'd even made sure to cool her off soon after the game by getting her into a swimming pool after finishing playing.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. By the time a child is thirsty, he or she may already be dehydrated.

The following list includes the signs and symptoms of dehydration that parents should be aware of and watch for in your child. These include:

• Feeling dizzy and lightheaded
• Having a dry or sticky mouth
• Producing less urine
• Producing dark yellow instead of clear or light yellow urine
• Irritability
• Muscle cramping and unusual fatigue
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Hyperventilation
• Confusion and change in personality

Parents and coaches should encourage and, if need be, enforce drinking fluids even if a child doesn’t feel thirsty to prevent dehydration.

Best Prevention - Keep drinking water

During hot, humid conditions, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that coaches:

• Reduce the intensity of physical activity lasting more than 15 minutes.
• Have children (< 13 years) drink 5 oz of water or a sports beverage every 15 - 20 mins.
• Keep drinking water

During hot, humid conditions, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that coaches (and parents):

• Reduce the intensity of physical activity lasting more than 15 minutes.
• Have children (< 13 years) drink 5 oz of water or a sports beverage every 15 - 20 mins.
• Have adolescents (13 years or older) drink 9 oz. of water or a sports beverage every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Encourage then enforce fluid consumption even if a child isn’t feeling thirsty.

What Will We Do Differently?

Since it seems that the coaches and the refs were not watching out for the health of the children playing soccer, we've taken several steps to prevent this from happening again.

• Contacting the Soccer organization with information to pass out to the Coaches and Refs on Preventing Dehydration in Children.
• Preparing Handouts on Preventing Dehydration and Symptoms of Dehydration for the Children to give to the parents.
• Discussing with the Coaches the need for the children to have adequate water breaks during the hot practices and games every 15 minutes.

With these steps we are hopeful that we won't have to be treating any more cases of dehydration in either of our daughter this soccer season. We also hope that the information will empower other parents to keep their own children safe and well hydrated.

More Information:

You can read the related article on the Foodie Mama site for more indepth information on preventing dehydration.

Dyer KA. 2008. Tips for Preventing Your Child from Getting Dehydrated in the Heat. Foodie Mama.

Resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2000. Climatic Heat Stress and the Exercising Child and Adolescent. Pediatrics 106;1: 158-159.

Mayo Clinic Staff. 2006. Dehydration and sports: Children at higher risk than adults.

Image Sources:

Steve Woods. Refresh. Royalty Free Use.

Cris Watk. Thirst. Royalty Free Use.