The effect of water consumption during school day on children urinalysis

Abstract

Background: Adequate water consumption plays an important role in human health, well-being, mental and physical performance. For school-age children (10-14 years old), the main health risks are related to water, hygiene and sanitary facilities. The normal range of total body water(TBW) for adolescents is 56-66 percent (Altman 1961). According to a joint study by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, 1 out 3 schools in the world do not have access to a basic drinking water service. Aim: To explore the relationship between water consumption, dehydration with changes in urinalysis parameters and cognitive performance. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 100 participants (gender ratio 1:1) aged 14 years old from 3 schools which were in a suburb (Khan-uul District), downtown (Bayangol District), and a lyceum school (Sukhbaatar District). Water consumption and dehydration questionnaire: A questionnaire including water intake and health questions was administered. The color of the tongue and the color of the urine samples were assessed using an 8-color scale urine hydration chart. Urine samples were collected from children (n=100) submitted to Gyals Medical Center Laboratory following safety instructions and analyzed for 15 urinalysis parameters. The TBW was measured using a TANITA body composition analyzer. Rapid dehydration test: “Skin pinch test” was performed to identify dehydration, squeezing the skin on finger knuckle for a moment and counting the seconds for skin to bounce back. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Corsi Block-Tapping Task, a computer-based test of short-term attention and memory on a 0-9 scale (Corsi, 1972). Informed consents were obtained from the parents and guardians about the children’s participation in the study on a paper. The name and number of schools will not be mentioned in order to fully ensure the confidentiality of the personal information of the research participants and within the framework of the biomedical ethical standards for taking biological samples from people or conducting physical examinations. Results: The most (8/10) of the children who participated in the study did not drink enough water and 49% of them were dehydrated (min =32.1% max =70.1%). The accessibility of drinking water directly at school has a statistically significant effect on the children’s total body water (p=0.002, Cohen’s d=0.49). 69% of the children have changes in urinalysis and the change of USG is higher in participants who drink less water, especially those who do not drink water in the morning. Drinking water alone has a moderate effect on the USG (d=0.53896). Conclusion: 8 out of 10 children who participated in the study did not drink enough water, resulting in a dehydration. It is affected by not having the access to drinking water directly at school and not using their own water bottles.There is a necessity to provide equal access for childrens to drink water at school. Dehydration affects cognitive performance in children, which indirectly affects academic performance as well.