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Dehydration in infants and children often occurs due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and extreme hot weather.
The signs and symptoms of dehydration vary with its severity. Common signs may include:
Dehydration can be dangerous. If these symptoms are present, contact your CF caregivers or go immediately to a nearby emergency room.
Breastfed infants need more salt.
Dehydration can be prevented in breastfed infants by supplementing the breast milk with salt, especially during hot weather.
Recommendations for salt supplements in breastfed infants:
Less than 6 months: 1/8 tsp of salt in 5 ml (1 tsp) water
More than 6 months: 1/4 tsp of salt in 5 ml (1 tsp) water
Give with a syringe throughout the day to provide the total
5 ml (1 tsp) volume.
Call your CF team, your pediatrician or go to your local emergency room should your infant show any signs of dehydration.
Dehydration may be prevented by using an oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte®, Enfalyte®, or Rehydralyte® during these times.
Oral Electrolyte Solution / Salt Content
Pedialyte® / 118 mmol/L
Enfalyte® / 23 mmol/L
Rehydralyte® / 19 mmol/L
Oral electrolyte solutions are specially formulated for infants and children to quickly replace lost fluid and electrolytes (salts).
Oral electrolyte solutions are different than common household beverages (juice, soda, & sports drinks) in their salt and sugar content. The large amounts of sugar in household beverages can draw water into the intestines and away from the rest of the body, making the diarrhea worse and increasing the risk of dehydration.
Oral electrolyte solutions are available in different forms (1 litre format, freezer pops, or single servings) and multiple flavours. They should be used for all CF infants who are at risk of dehydration.
Intravenous rehydration is sometimes the only method able to restore all the fluid and salt losses.
This information is published by CF Canada on behalf of cystic fibrosis dieticians across Canada.