Preventing Heat Stroke In Babies: Understanding The Risks

how can babies get heat stroke

Heat stroke in babies is rare but extremely dangerous and can even be life-threatening. It is caused by a baby's exposure to high temperatures, often with high humidity, and can be brought on by spending too much time outside in hot weather, or being left in a hot or parked car. Babies are less able to sweat when hot, and very young children cannot tell you when they are uncomfortable, so it is important to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and to take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses.

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Babies are less able to sweat

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body's temperature gets too high, and this can be affected by the temperature of the air and the level of physical activity. Sweating is the body's natural response to cooling down, but because babies do not sweat as effectively as adults, they are at a higher risk of overheating.

The risk of heat stroke is heightened in babies and young children because they cannot always take care of themselves. They may be unable to remove excess clothing or blankets, and they may be left in hot environments without realising the danger. This is why it is important to pay attention to young children and help them regulate their body temperature.

The first sign of heat-related illness is often heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include pale, cool, moist skin, sweating, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. If a child is exhibiting these symptoms, they should be moved to a cooler place, given plenty to drink, and sponged with cool water. If symptoms do not subside within 30 minutes, it is a cause for concern and medical attention should be sought.

Heat stroke is a more severe heat-related illness and is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the body's core temperature rises to dangerous levels, often over 40°C or 104°F. Symptoms include hot, flushed, and dry skin, headache, dizziness, confusion, and restlessness. If a child is exhibiting these symptoms, emergency services should be called immediately, and the child should be moved to a cool environment and cooled with water or damp cloths.

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The dangers of being in a hot car

Being in a hot car can be extremely dangerous for babies and young children. Their bodies are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke than adults, and their health can be permanently damaged within minutes.

Even on a warm spring day, the inside of a car can become dangerously hot for a child. When it's 80°F outside, a vehicle's interior can be 40–50° hotter. This is because the heat gets trapped inside the car, with no way to escape. The sun heats up the interior, such as the seats, seatbelts, dashboard, and other surfaces, which then continue to raise the temperature inside the vehicle.

Babies and young children are at particular risk of heat stroke because they heat up more quickly than adults. This is because they have more body surface area than body mass, so they gain heat faster. They also don't sweat as much as adults, as their sweat glands are not fully mature, so they are less able to cool down.

Heat stroke is a severe type of heat illness that occurs when a child's body creates more heat than it can release. This results in a rapid increase in core body temperature, which can lead to brain damage or death if not treated promptly. Signs of heat stroke include:

  • A body temperature above 104°F
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although skin may also be wet)
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Rapid heartbeat and breathing
  • Weakness and/or dizziness

There are several steps you can take to prevent heat stroke in your baby:

  • Never leave your baby unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period.
  • Check your entire vehicle, especially the back seat, before locking the doors and walking away.
  • Place a personal item in the back seat, such as a purse or briefcase, to remind you to look before you lock.
  • Store car keys out of a child's reach and teach children that cars are not a play area.
  • Keep your baby in cool, air-conditioned locations during hot weather.
  • Dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
  • Keep your baby out of direct sunlight and in the shade during the hottest parts of the day.
  • When in the car, keep the windows up and the air conditioning on.
  • Ensure your baby stays hydrated by offering plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather.

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How to cool a baby down

Babies are at a higher risk of heat stroke as they cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults. They are also less able to sweat when hot. This means that parents and caregivers need to be vigilant about keeping babies cool in hot weather. Here are some ways to do that:

Dressing for the Weather

It is important to dress babies in loose, lightweight clothing. Avoid bundling them in blankets or too many layers of clothing. Children usually need the same number of clothing layers as adults.

Staying Indoors

On very hot days, it is best to stay inside with the baby. If you do need to go out, keep outings short and try to stay in the shade.

Keeping the Baby's Environment Cool

Use a fan or air conditioning to keep the baby's environment cool. If using a fan, ensure that the cool air doesn't blow directly on them. Keep windows open to maintain airflow.

Cool Baths

A cool bath is a great way to lower a baby's temperature. Make sure to never leave the baby unattended in the tub.

Fluids

Offer the baby plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Breastfed or bottle-fed babies under 6 months old might want to feed more often. Babies over 6 months can be offered small amounts of cooled boiled water after or between milk feeds. If you are breastfeeding, ensure that you also stay hydrated.

Elevating the Baby's Feet

The experts at Seattle Children's Hospital recommend lying the baby down on their back with their feet slightly elevated to help bring their temperature down.

Removing Head Coverings

Heat is stored in the head, so removing hats or other head coverings can help the baby cool down.

Sponge Bath

If you cannot give the baby a bath, you can cool them down with a sponge bath using a cool washcloth or by wiping their head with a cool washcloth.

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The importance of staying hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential to prevent heat stroke in babies and children. Heat stroke is a severe condition that can cause brain damage or even death if not treated promptly. It occurs when the body gets too hot, usually during a heatwave or in hot temperatures, and the body's thermostat fails, causing a dangerous overheating.

Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke as they cannot always communicate their discomfort. They may exhibit unusual behaviours or symptoms such as an elevated body temperature, cool and clammy skin, sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heartbeat and breathing. It is important to recognize these signs and take immediate action to prevent serious health consequences.

To prevent heat stroke, it is crucial to ensure that babies and children stay adequately hydrated. Here are some tips to promote hydration:

  • Offer breast or bottle milk more frequently, especially during hot weather. Babies under six months old do not need additional water if they are breastfed or formula-fed.
  • For babies over six months, introduce small amounts of boiled and cooled water, but ensure it does not replace normal milk feeds.
  • If you are breastfeeding, it is essential to stay well-hydrated yourself to maintain your milk supply and prevent dehydration.
  • For formula-fed babies, follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the formula, and ensure it is prepared with the correct amount of water.
  • Encourage older children to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Carry a reusable water bottle to make it easier for them to stay hydrated throughout the day.
  • Begin drinking fluids a few hours before engaging in physical activities or spending time in the heat.
  • During physical activities or hot weather, rehydrate every 15 to 30 minutes, even if your child doesn't feel thirsty. Thirst can be a delayed indicator of dehydration.
  • Offer salty snacks like pretzels or popcorn, as they provide electrolytes and encourage fluid intake.
  • Include fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon, grapes, and cucumbers, in your child's diet.
  • For intense exercise lasting 30 minutes or more, sports drinks can be helpful before and after the activity to replace electrolytes and sugars. However, for younger children, Pedialyte or other rehydration fluids are more suitable.

By following these hydration tips, you can help prevent heat stroke in babies and children, keeping them safe and healthy during hot weather.

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The role of humidity

Heat stroke in babies is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when a baby's body temperature rises to dangerous levels due to exposure to high temperatures, often during a heatwave. While heat is the primary factor, humidity also plays a crucial role in the development of heat stroke.

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air. When the environmental humidity level exceeds 60%, it becomes more challenging for babies to regulate their body temperature. Their sweating mechanism becomes less effective, making it harder for them to cool down. As a result, the risk of heat stroke increases.

In high humidity, the air is already saturated with water vapour, which impairs the evaporation of sweat from the skin's surface. Sweating is our body's natural cooling mechanism. When humidity is high, the sweat produced by the body cannot evaporate efficiently, leading to a reduced ability to release heat. Consequently, the body's core temperature continues to rise, potentially resulting in heat stroke.

Moreover, babies have a smaller body surface area relative to their mass compared to adults, causing them to absorb heat faster. They also possess a less developed temperature regulation system, making it more challenging for them to recognise and respond to heat distress. This combination of factors, coupled with high humidity, puts babies at a higher risk of heat stroke.

To prevent heat stroke in babies, it is essential to limit their exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Ensure they are dressed in lightweight, breathable clothing and provide them with ample opportunities to stay in cool, shaded areas. It is also crucial to keep them well-hydrated, as dehydration further impairs the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Frequently asked questions

Babies can get heat stroke if they are exposed to high temperatures, often with high humidity. This can happen when they are inside a hot car, on public transportation, on beaches, at pools, or in apartments without air conditioning. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Symptoms of heat stroke in babies include hot, flushed, and dry skin, headache, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, slurred speech, and unusual behaviour. It is important to seek immediate medical help if a baby is showing any of these symptoms.

If you think a baby has heat stroke, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Move the baby to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, and apply cool, damp cloths, sponges, or fans to their neck, armpits, and groin areas. If the baby is conscious, give them cool liquids to sip, preferably water or electrolyte drinks.

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