For babies, dehydration can be a medical emergency that requires immediate care. Because babies can’t tell you how they feel, educating yourself about the warning signs can help you spot this potentially dangerous condition, so you can take your baby to the children’s hospital for the care he or she needs. Consider going to a pediatric emergency room if your baby has any of these symptoms.

Infrequent urination

If your baby begins to soil fewer diapers than normal, dehydration could be to blame. Generally, this means having fewer than six wet diapers in a day. When severe dehydration sets in, your baby may only have one or two wet diapers in a day.

Your baby’s diaper can potentially provide another clue about dehydration. If your baby has diarrhea, you should be alert to potential symptoms of dehydration. If your baby is dehydrated, he or she will have fewer bowel movements than normal.

Sunken soft spots

Babies are born with two soft spots on their heads called fontanelles. One fontanelle is at the front of the head, and the other is in the back. When your baby is dehydrated, one or both fontanelles may sink inward.

Keep in mind that other factors can cause sunken fontanelles. However, when sunken fontanelles occur with other dehydration symptoms or after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, then dehydration could be to blame.

Extreme fussiness

Being dehydrated can make your baby feel rotten, and as a result, he or she may become very fussy. He or she may become excessively sleepy or restless and cry more than normal. When crying, he or she may produce fewer tears than normal because of the dehydration.

If you suspect your baby could be suffering from dehydration, seek children’s emergency care in Las Vegas at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. Our pediatrics emergency team will get to the source of your baby’s problem quickly so he or she gets the necessary care. To learn more about our hospital services, please call (702) 233-5437.

Although premature birth is not always preventable, especially during a high-risk pregnancy, your obstetrician will attempt to ensure that you deliver your baby as close to full-term as possible for many reasons. These are some of the risks that are associated with premature birth that your doctor will strive to prevent.

Respiratory problems

Premature babies are often born with underdeveloped lungs, and as the featured video explains, this can increase the risk of respiratory problems soon after birth. Some of the most common lung issues seen in premature babies are:

• Respiratory distress syndrome, caused when the lungs can’t expand or contract normally because they are underdeveloped
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a chronic lung disease that is sometimes associated with long-term use of mechanical respiration after birth
• Apnea, or prolonged stoppages of breathing

These respiratory problems can cause symptoms that linger throughout life, even when they are treated soon after birth.

Heart problems

Underdeveloped hearts in premature babies can also cause problems. In some cases, these heart defects heal on their own as the baby continues to develop, but in other instances, treatment may be necessary. Premature babies may experience:

• Hypotension, or low blood pressure, which may need to be treated with IV fluids or blood transfusions until it stabilizes.
• Patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, which occurs when there is an opening between two blood vessels leading into the heart. PDA can heal on its own but may require surgical treatment to prevent heart failure.

Chronic health problems

Babies who are born prematurely are more prone to develop chronic health conditions throughout their lives. These conditions, including frequent infections and feeding problems, can begin soon after birth and persist. Additionally, SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is a greater risk for premature babies.

When premature birth happens, Sunrise Children’s Hospital is here to protect the health of both mom and baby, with high-risk pregnancy care in Las Vegas and the largest Level III NICU in the state. For more information about our children’s hospital, please call (702) 233-5437.

During pregnancy, moms get all of the healthcare attention, and for good reason. But where does dad fit into the picture? June is not only about Father’s Day—it is also Men’s Health Month and a time for families to focus on keeping dad healthy. These heart health tips can keep dad in top condition so he can enjoy playing with the kids for years to come.

Know your family history

When it comes to heart disease, dads need to learn about their pasts to keep their futures healthy. Having a family history of heart disease can increase your risk of developing it yourself, so find out who in your family may have been diagnosed with heart disease, have had a heart attack or suffered a stroke.

Your family history may also provide insight into your chances of developing certain risk factors for heart disease. For instance, if diabetes or high cholesterol runs in your family, you could have a greater risk of getting them as well.

Watch your waistline

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your heart health. Dads can achieve this goal by getting active with the kids and taking part in making healthy eating choices as a family. In fact, by eating a diet rich in lean protein, whole grain carbs and healthy fats while limiting salt and added sugar, dads can set a lifesaving example for their kids while getting healthier themselves.

Give up smoking

Smoking is disastrous for your heart health. For dads, smoking is not only dangerous for them but for their kids as well. Secondhand smoke can increase kids’ chances of getting asthma and other respiratory problems and cancer. For your own health and the health of your little ones, talk to your doctor about quitting.

For your children’s health, choose Sunrise Children’s Hospital and pediatrics specialists in Las Vegas. From preventative care to emergency room treatment and NICU and PICU services, our children’s hospital is here for all of your child’s medical needs. Get a referral to a physician or find out more by calling (702) 233-5437.

Migraines are debilitating for adults, and for kids and teens, they can be even more troublesome. Although migraines are usually thought of as something that only happens to adults, they can and do occur in children as young as 18 months. By recognizing the signs of migraines in your child and getting him or her to a pediatrics specialist as soon as possible, you can help him or her avoid disabling pain and other symptoms. Here is what you need to know.

How common are migraines in kids and teens?

Unfortunately, migraines in kids and teens are often underestimated, so parents don’t recognize the symptoms because they think it can’t happen. In reality, approximately 10% of school-aged kids get migraines.

In adults, migraines are more common in women. They are also more common in girls than boys after puberty. However, before puberty, boys get them more often.

What are the symptoms?

A severe headache is the most common symptom of a migraine, but in kids and teens, head pain may not be the worst symptom. This is another reason migraines often go unnoticed in kids since they are more likely to complain about symptoms that are not associated with head pain.

Some common migraine symptoms in kids and teens are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue

Some kids and teens also experience aura right before a migraine. Auras are visual disturbances, such as flashes of light.

What should I do if my child has migraine symptoms?

If you think your child could be suffering from migraines, make an appointment with his or her pediatrics physician. He or she can make a definitive diagnosis and help your child find a treatment plan that provides relief.

Does your child need a referral to a pediatrics specialist for migraine symptoms or another condition? Contact Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas and get a referral to a specialist in our network by calling (702) 233-5437.

Summertime is the perfect time for kids and parents alike to enjoy a dip in the pool. Don’t let a relaxing day poolside turn into an emergency for your family. By sticking to some simple water safety rules, you can all enjoy swimming without a trip to the hospital interrupting your fun. Keep these rules in mind the next time your family decides to go swimming.

Teach kids how to swim

Swimming lessons are one of the best safety tools you can give to your child. When your child knows how to swim, you can drastically reduce the risk of an accidental injury or drowning, even if your child inadvertently falls into the water or enters deeper water than he or she expected.

Although your child may not have the gross motor skills and coordination to truly begin swimming until they are three or four, you can take swimming classes with your baby when they are as young as four months. Babies may not actually learn how to swim, but can get comfortable in the water during these classes.

Never let kids swim alone

No matter how much your child swims like a fish, kids should never be left alone to swim without an adult present. If you have a home pool, make sure your kids know that it is off-limits unless they are with you or another adult.

If you are swimming with a group of kids and adults, make sure the adults take turns being actively responsible for supervising the kids. It’s easy for adults to all assume someone else is watching the kids, when in reality, no one is.

Make drains off-limits

Pool drains can pose a danger to kids, so make sure your little ones know to swim away when they see one. If you swim in a public pool, make sure the drains have safety covers. Your home pool should have them as well.

At Sunrise Children’s Hospital, our pediatrics team and children’s emergency care department is here all year long to make sure your little ones stay healthy during every season. Learn more about our children’s hospital in Las Vegas by calling (702) 233-5437.