What are the symptoms of dehydration caused by fever in infants?

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. Fever in infants may lead to dehydration, which can manifest as mild dehydration, moderate dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, acute upper respiratory tract infection, or acute kidney injury. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Mild Dehydration

Mild dehydration may occur due to prolonged high fever causing excessive sweating and subsequent excessive loss of body fluids. Infants may present with elevated body temperature, dryness of the whole body or localized skin and mucous membranes, slightly sunken eyes, decreased urine output but without complete absence of urination. These symptoms are caused by reduced body fluids leading to blood concentration, along with increased evaporation of moisture from the skin and mucous membranes.

2. Moderate Dehydration

Moderate dehydration may be associated with persistent high fever that has not been promptly controlled, leading to further fluid loss. In addition to the symptoms of mild dehydration, infants may exhibit significantly sunken eyes, reduced tear production when crying, decreased skin elasticity, slightly rapid breathing, and cold extremities. These symptoms reflect further reduction in body fluids, impaired circulation, and dysfunction of the body's temperature regulation center.

3. Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolyte imbalance may result from metabolic changes caused by persistent fever, leading to abnormal concentrations of ions such as sodium and potassium in the body. Infants may experience muscle spasms, nausea and vomiting, arrhythmia, and other symptoms. These symptoms occur due to disruption of the body's electrolyte balance, increased neuromuscular excitability, and disturbances in the cardiac conduction system. Diagnosis can be confirmed through blood electrolyte testing.

4. Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

An acute upper respiratory tract infection may be caused by viral or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in an inflammatory response accompanied by high fever and fluid loss. In addition to fever and dehydration symptoms, infants may also present with cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, and other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Diagnosis can be confirmed through complete blood count and pathogen testing.

5. Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury may occur when the body requires more fluids to dissipate heat during fever, thereby increasing the workload on the kidneys, and in severe cases, potentially leading to kidney damage. Infants may develop symptoms such as oliguria (reduced urine output), anuria (absence of urine), and edema (swelling). These symptoms are due to impaired kidney function, which prevents effective excretion of bodily fluids and metabolic waste. Diagnosis can be confirmed through kidney function tests and urine analysis.

In daily life, parents should regularly monitor their infant's body temperature. Once an elevated temperature is detected, prompt measures such as physical cooling or seeking medical treatment should be taken to avoid dehydration caused by high fever. During episodes of fever, infants should maintain a light diet and avoid greasy or irritating foods.