Drinking water may be harmful to babies

Drinking water may be harmful to babies
Monday June 2 2008 14:22 IST Express Features

BABIES younger than six months old should never be given water to drink, a research at Johns Hopkins Children’s center in Baltimore says.

Consuming too much water can put babies at risk of a potentially life-threatening condition known as water intoxication.

Because babies’ kidneys aren’t yet mature, giving them too much water causes their bodies to release sodium along with excess water, Anders said. Losing sodium can affect brain activity, so early symptoms of water intoxication can include irritability, drowsiness and other mental changes.

Other symptoms include low body temperature (generally 97 degrees or less), puffiness or swelling in the face and seizures.