Written by Editorial Team
With the onset of summer and outside temperatures soaring to unbearable levels, children – especially infants and toddlers – are the first and the worst affected of all. Instances of heat stroke are increasing during summer. As the outside temperature rises, our body temperature also rises. Incidents of heatstroke in babies are more than you think.
The scorching summer ends up losing water and salts from the body of the child. This is a typical case of heat exhaustion. Babies are affected to a greater extent than adults as their bodies have fewer sweat glands as compared to adults. Read on to know a little more about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of heat Stroke In Babies.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when a person’s body gets overheated. In a heat stroke, the body temperature rises up to 105° F (40.5° C) or higher and the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature. This condition can be potentially dangerous in adults, and hence it shouldn’t take much to realize that it could prove fatal in babies. Also, read here to know how to care for your baby in the summer.
While rising outside temperatures is the primary cause of a heat stroke in babies, high temperature combined with humidity can potentially increase the risk of a heat stroke. Other reasons that can bring about heatstroke in babies are:
Hence, it is best to carry the baby along when you step out of your parked vehicle and never leave the baby unattended in a stationary vehicle.
Your baby will show mild to moderate signs of heat exhaustion such as unusual thirst and tiredness. With heat exhaustion progressing to a heat stroke, the baby will begin to show signs of muscle heat cramps such as stomach and leg cramps, followed by incessant crying. The striking symptoms of heatstroke that you will observe are:
Leaving a baby behind in a car (which should never be done by parents) can cause serious heatstroke in the baby. In several cases, it has proved to be fatal for the child. Overheating in babies under such circumstances could lead to potential brain damage.
Early recognition of symptoms such as central nervous system disturbances, hot, dry skin, and hyperpyrexia is important. Other conditions that need immediate attention in such a situation are renal failure, seizures, hematologic abnormalities (blood-related abnormalities), and irregular functioning of the liver.
As parents, it is important to get into action as soon as you realize that your baby is experiencing heat exhaustion. Immediate relief is important and necessary to ensure that the damage isn’t too much. Here are the steps that you need to take:
It is important to keep the baby cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. With the sun blazing and sunrays cutting through the skin, it is best to keep the baby indoors. In addition to this common preventive action, here are a couple of preventive measures that you could follow:
Hope the information about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of heatstroke in babies is helpful. As parents, it is our responsibility to be alert and attentive to our baby’s response to the weather and environment. Stay cool, stay comfortable and enjoy the summers!
Happy parenting to you!
Yes, they can. If they are in a very hot environment, it increases the chances. It can be just regular heat too.
It could be. Sometimes it could be just thirst. Observe them for a while and keep them cool.
Yes, they are. If left unattended, it could cause brain damage. If you see symptoms, get it checked.
Though the possibilities are low, it is possible. If your baby is uncomfortable, reduce the layers. It could be their way of telling something is wrong.
Read Also: Dehydration in Babies : Causes & Treatment
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