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.
In This Article
- What is Heat Stroke?
- Causes of Heat Stroke in Babies
- Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Babies
- Brain Damage in Babies Due to Overheating
- Treating Heat Stroke in Babies
- How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Babies?
- FAQ’s
What is Heat Stroke?
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.
Causes of Heat Stroke in Babies
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:
- Wrapping the baby in too many layers of clothes, even during normal temperatures.
- Making the baby wear uncomfortable or tight-fitting clothes.
- Making the baby wear clothes made of material that is not a good absorbent of sweat.
- Leaving the baby alone in a hot car seat, even for a couple of minutes, could lead to potential death from a heat stroke.
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.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Babies
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:
- The rise in body temperature, but without any sweating
- Skin turning dry and hot red
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Rapid pulse, rapid and shallow breathing
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Headache
Brain Damage in Babies Due to Overheating
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.
[Read: Epilepsy in Babies-Signs and Causes]
Treating Heat Stroke in Babies
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:
- As soon as you notice weakness, dizziness, and nausea in your baby, take them into the shade.
- Remove any extra layers of clothing on your child. In fact, it is advised to remove all the clothing off your baby. You could also loosen tight-fitting clothes to offer that much-needed immediate relief from stifling clothes.
- You need to have your baby lie down with their feet slightly elevated.
- Sponge the child with cool water or spray the baby with mist, to cool off the body surface.
- Offer your baby some water or re-hydrating solution, as available.
- When your baby is vomiting, remember to turn them to their side to prevent them from choking.
- If you realize that your baby has trouble breathing and has developed a rapid pulse, make sure you call the emergency helpline and seek immediate medical help.
- If heat exhaustion progresses to become a heat stroke and the baby appears confused or loses consciousness, call the emergency helpline immediately and rush the baby to a healthcare center or hospital.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Babies?
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:
- Make sure you feed the child ample fluids, water, and re-hydrating solutions throughout the day. While humidity saps away bodily fluids and nutrients, water can help replenish them.
- Also, ensure that you dress your baby in light-colored, skin-friendly, and loose clothes such that they do not cause skin irritation and constrict the baby’s movements.
- Parents must keep an eye out on the baby’s body temperature, even during pleasant and cooler months, especially while they sleep.
- Simple, comfortable clothing, skin-friendly bedding material, and a well-ventilated (and preferably air-conditioned) room is key to keeping your baby cool while they sleep.
- It is also important to keep an eye out for the heat advisories charted out by government agencies. Ensure that you remain indoors on days when a heat advisory has been issued in your area, and keep the baby in a cool room.
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!
FAQ’s
1. Can my Baby Get a Heat Stroke?
Yes, they can. If they are in a very hot environment, it increases the chances. It can be just regular heat too.
2. Is Excess Thirst a Symptom of Heat Stroke in my Baby?
It could be. Sometimes it could be just thirst. Observe them for a while and keep them cool.
3. Are Heat Strokes Dangerous for my Baby?
Yes, they are. If left unattended, it could cause brain damage. If you see symptoms, get it checked.
4. Can Wrapping my Baby in Layers Give Them a Heat Stroke?
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
