Electrolytes for Children and Infants: Rehydration Solutions, Sports Drinks and Safety

Urgent signs first

Diarrhea in babies and children can be serious and is treated differently than in adults. [1] Contact a clinician right away if a child shows signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, dizziness, dry mouth, sunken eyes or few tears when crying. [1] The NHS (UK) adds a sunken soft spot on a baby's head, drowsiness or irritability, and says to call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5. [2] WHO lists lethargy or unconsciousness, sunken eyes and being unable to drink or drinking poorly as signs of severe dehydration. [3] Severe dehydration is a life-threatening emergency; in the US, call 911 for loss of consciousness, confusion or seizures. [4] If a child may have swallowed an electrolyte tablet, supplement or any product, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Short answer

For a child with diarrhea or vomiting, WHO says diarrhea should be treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS), made of clean water, sugar and salt. [3] A European pediatric guideline says oral rehydration with a hypoosmolar solution is the major treatment and should start as soon as possible, that breast-feeding should not be interrupted, and that regular feeding should continue. [5] Everyday electrolyte powders, sports drinks and energy drinks are a different matter, covered below. Nothing here replaces a pediatrician's advice, and we give no amounts: a clinician or pharmacist decides what suits your child's age and weight.

Illness: what the sources say

WHO also describes a course of dispersible zinc tablets for children's diarrhea that shortens its duration; ask your pediatrician about it, and see Zinc for general information. [3]

When to call a clinician

The NHS says to call 111 (UK) if you are worried about a baby under 12 months, if your child stops breast or bottle feeding while ill, or if a child under 5 has signs of dehydration such as fewer wet nappies. [6] MedlinePlus says to contact a provider if diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or if a child over 3 months old has vomited for more than 12 hours; for younger babies, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins. [1]

Sports drinks and energy drinks for children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (2011 clinical report) says sports drinks and energy drinks are significantly different products and should not be used interchangeably. [7] It concludes that caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents, and that frequent or excessive intake of caloric sports drinks can substantially increase the risk of overweight or obesity. [7] The report's abstract says its discussion of sports-drink use by youth athletes is outside its scope, so we cannot state a sports-drink recommendation for them. [7] Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for daily electrolyte powders or tablets in healthy children.

Sodium in children's diets

Children's sodium needs are small and are mostly met by food. MedlinePlus lists adequate intake levels for healthy growth in the US (National Academies, as cited by MedlinePlus, reviewed 2026) and says there are no specific sodium restrictions for infants, children and teens. [8]

Infants under 6 months110 mg

Infants 6 to 12 months370 mg

Children 1 to 3 years800 mg

Children 4 to 8 years1,000 mg

Ages 9 to 13 years1,200 mg

Ages 14 to 18 years1,500 mg

These figures are sodium (the element), not salt, and are intake levels for healthy growth, not targets for products. [8]

Higher-risk children and cautions

• Under 5 years and older adults have a higher risk of dehydration. [2]
• Children with kidney, heart or liver conditions or on medicines change how fluids and electrolytes are handled; the sources list such conditions among causes of imbalance. [9] Ask the child's clinician before any electrolyte product.
• Product quality. See Quality testing and certifications and Children and teens.

For vitamins and minerals in general, see Vitamins for children and teens, and for the full ORS overview see Oral rehydration solutions.