Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

This week on Healthwatch, we've been talking about how to help keep kids safe. Previously, we've talked about things that are dangerous if kids eat or drink them. Now we'll talk about something kids should be drinking: water.

With the weather warming up and kids participating in outdoor activities, doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say it's important for children to drink plenty of water during sports practices and games. Dr. Luis Palacios, a UT Southwestern family practice doctor who's also an expert on sports medicine, says kids should drink 4 to 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes during a workout of an hour or less. For longer workouts, kids may need a sports drink to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes. Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Overall, the best way to keep kids safe is for parents to be vigilant and aware of what their children are doing.

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^{April 2005}

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