Evaluation of daily hydration in pediatric outpatients over 3 years old

Arch Pediatr. 2021 Apr;28(3):209-214. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2020.12.011. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Abstract

The topic of hydration of children over 3 years of age is often neglected in general pediatric consultations, even though proper hydration is essential for optimal physical and intellectual functions.

Objective: To evaluate the daily water and beverage consumption of 3- to 8-year-old patients in a private pediatric practice through a retrospective observational study.

Method: This single-centre study was conducted in a French private practice with five pediatricians and included 200 healthy children, aged 3-8 years.

Results: Recommended intake of beverages was reached in 62% of 54 children in the 3- to 4-year-old group and 43% of the 146 children in the 4- to 8-year-old group. Recommended beverages intake of±20% was found in 55% of the 3- to 4-year-old group and 45% of the 4- to 8-year-old group. The potential risk factors of inadequate hydration could not be demonstrated in this study. Water alone was the predominant intake in 63% of the 200 children; milk accounted for 19%, and sweetened drinks for 17%.

Conclusions: These results show a persistent gap between recommended and observed total beverage intake. Although our results are more robust than previous French and international published data, they remain insufficient. In the future, a systematic approach to hydration with parents and children is needed including personalised advice, while maintaining other public health interventions in schools and canteens.

Keywords: Ambulatory care; Children; Hydration; Outpatient.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Beverages / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dehydration / etiology
  • Dehydration / prevention & control*
  • Diet Surveys
  • Drinking Behavior*
  • Drinking*
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Recommended Dietary Allowances
  • Retrospective Studies