What is the need for water in children by age?

The article was professionally consulted by MSc.BS.Huynh Bao Toan - Neonatologist, Vinmec Nha Trang General Hospital. The doctor has 13 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics.

On average, in the human body, water accounts for about 60% - 70% of body weight, in children, this percentage is higher.
In the human body, water plays a very important role, specifically:
Constitutes cells and tissues Supports metabolism Regulates and balances fluid volume Regulates body temperature Transports and eliminates toxins wastes out of the body Helps blood circulate easily In children as well as adults, the need for water every day depends on many factors such as weather, health status, physical activity, ... When water requirements are not met (lack of or excess of water) can lead to some of the following problems:
Water deficiency: Increases the concentration of solutes in the fluid and blood; accumulation of waste products in the body; the body is prone to self-poisoning, weak and prone to constipation. Excess water: The kidneys and heart have to work harder; loss of minerals and vitamins through excretion through urine or sweat.

A child's water needs can be calculated based on the child's weight or energy intake. Specifically
2.1 Calculation of children's water needs by weight Children from 1 to 10kg: 100ml/kg of weight. Children from 11 - 20kg: 1,000ml/10kg of the first + 50ml/kg/1kg of extra weight. Children from 21kg and over: 1,500ml/20kg head + 20ml/1kg extra weight. 2.2 Calculation of children's water needs by energy Adolescents: 1.5ml/kcal.

Below are the specific water needs of children by age.
Infants under 6 months old: Note, babies under 6 months old do not need to drink water, breast milk or formula mixed according to the instructions to provide enough water for the baby. Do not give your baby any more water after breastfeeding or formula milk because it can cause water intoxication in the early stages with symptoms such as drowsiness, hypothermia, facial swelling, etc. In addition, excess water also causes dehydration. children urinate a lot and reduce sodium levels in the blood, affecting the brain.

Infants from 6 to 12 months old: The water requirement of children under 12 months old (over 6 months old) is from 200-300ml/day. Babies fed breast milk or formula mixed according to the instructions still provide enough water for the baby, just add the right amount of water, suitable for the type of dry or solid food that the baby takes in. Children can drink from 15 to 30ml of water (equivalent to 2 tablespoons) after each meal to help them clean the oral cavity and stimulate their taste buds during the period when they are learning to eat solid foods. Children from 12 months of age and older: At this time, depending on the needs of the child, or based on the calculation of water needs by weight to let the child drink enough water. Children over 1 year old can hold their own bottle or cup to drink. Parents can help children form the habit of drinking water to ensure the body's water needs, avoiding being too thirsty to drink will affect the functioning of many organs. To ensure children's water needs according to each age, besides giving children water to drink, it is necessary to monitor the color of urine that children excrete. If the urine is light yellow or clear white, the child is sufficiently hydrated, while a darker yellow color is a lack of water.
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