Why can diarrhea become dangerous for infants and toddlers?

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Infographic showing estimated lives saved by childhood vaccinations worldwide from 1974 to 2024, with syringe-shaped bars for each disease. Measles tops the list at 93.71 million lives saved, followed by tetanus, whooping cough, and others, for a total of 153.84 million lives saved. — childhood disease and disorder Vaccines and the estimates of lives saved over the period 1974–2024.

Diarrhea is a significant health concern for infants and toddlers primarily because it leads to rapid and severe dehydration.1

When a child experiences frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, the body loses essential fluids and minerals at a rate that can quickly become life-threatening. This condition is often exacerbated by accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, which prevents the child from retaining the fluids necessary for recovery, and a poor appetite, which further limits intake.1

Because infants and toddlers have smaller body reserves, they are particularly vulnerable to the physiological stress caused by this fluid loss. If these lost fluids and minerals are not adequately replaced, the condition can progress to a critical state, and in severe cases, it may result in death. Ensuring proper hydration is the most crucial aspect of managing these infections.1