Drinking water is harmful to the health of newborn babies

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Doctors at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore warn parents that babies under six months old should never be given water to drink. Consuming too much water can expose babies to a potentially life-threatening condition known as water intoxication. “Even when they’re very tiny, they have an intact thirst reflex or a drive to drink,” said Dr. Jennifer Anders, a pediatric emergency physician at the center, to Reuters Health. “When they feel thirsty and want to drink, the fluid they need is breast milk or formula.” Since a baby’s kidneys are not yet fully developed, giving them too much water causes their bodies to excrete sodium along with the excess water, Anders explained. Losing sodium can affect brain function, so early symptoms of water intoxication may include irritability, drowsiness, and other mental changes. Other symptoms include low body temperature (usually 97 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), swelling in the face, and seizures. “It’s a sneaky kind of condition,” Anders said. The early symptoms are subtle, so seizures might be the first sign that parents notice. But if a child receives prompt medical attention, the seizures are likely not to have any lasting effects, she added. Water should be completely avoided as a beverage for babies aged six months and younger, according to Anders and her colleagues. Parents should also avoid using overly diluted formula or pediatric drinks that contain electrolytes. Anders said that in some cases, it might be appropriate to give slightly older infants a small amount of water—for example, to help with constipation or in very hot weather—but parents should always consult their pediatrician first and give only an ounce or two of water at a time. If a parent suspects that their child may have water intoxication, or if an infant has seizures, they should seek medical attention immediately, she advised. Consuming an excessive amount of water can be life-threatening for BB, that is, \"water intoxication\". “Although the infant is very small, it still possesses a complete thirst reflex system and an innate drive to drink water. When they feel thirsty and want to drink water, the amount of water they need is far more than what can be obtained from breast milk or infant formula. ”Jennifer Anders, a pediatric emergency physician at the research center, told Reuters reporters. Anders said that because an infant’s renal tubules are not yet fully developed, drinking too much water can lead to a significant loss of sodium in their bodies. Sodium deficiency can affect brain activity; therefore, early symptoms of water intoxication include irritability, drowsiness, and other mental changes. There may also be symptoms such as low body temperature, soft obesity, facial swelling, and scratching. ““These characteristics are insidious and hard to detect,” said Anders. The early symptoms are very mild, so the baby’s scratching often becomes the first abnormal sign that catches the parents’ attention. But if BB is given medical treatment in time, the scratching symptoms will disappear, she added. For infants under 6 months old, water-based beverages should be strictly prohibited, suggest Anders and his colleagues. Young parents should also avoid feeding their babies diluted infant formula and children’s drinks containing electrolytes. In some cases, it is appropriate to give infants who are a bit older a small amount of water, for example when they are constipated or in hot weather; however, parents must do so after consulting with a pediatrician, and only give one to two ounces of water at a time. Doctors advise that if young parents suspect their baby has water intoxication, or notice the baby scratching, they should seek medical help immediately. Reposted from Hai Ci Happy English, for sharing among Hai friends