BALTIMORE – Doctors in John Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore advised parents of babies less than 6 months not to give water as a drink to their babies.
According to the doctors, drinking to much water may bring danger to the life of a baby. This life threatening condition is called water intoxication.
“Even when they’re very tiny, they have an intact thirst reflex or a drive to drink,” When they have that thirst and they want to drink, the fluid they need to drink more of is their breast milk or formula,” says Dr. Jennifer Anders, pediatric emergency physician of John Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore
Because kidneys of babies are not yet mature, giving to much water can cause release of sodium together with excess water.
Loss of sodium among babies can affect the activities of the brain. Symptoms of water intoxication include being irritable, sleepy, low body temperature (generally 97 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), seizures, swelling of face and other mental changes.
“It’s a sneaky kind of a condition. Early symptoms are subtle, so seizures may be the first symptom a parent notices. But if a child gets prompt medical attention, the seizures will probably not have lasting consequences, “ explains Anders.
According to Anders and colleagues, parents should avoid over diluted formula or pediatric drinks which contains electrolytes.
According to Anders, there are cases that older infants can drink small amount of water, like when they experience constipation or during hot weather.
Parents should consult their pediatrician when giving water to their babies. Babies should only be given 1 or 2 ounces of water. If parents think that their babies are experiencing water intoxication they should consult their doctor immediately.
Leave Your Comments