Dubai: If you’re outdoors with your family and are feeling hot, remember – your children might be struggling a lot more during the heat than you think. Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than that of adults, which makes them susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
Gulf News spoke with medical experts to find out why that is and how parents can help them stay healthy.
Why children are at a greater risk of heat-related illnesses
“Babies and children cannot adjust to high temperatures as efficiently as adults, as they don’t sweat as much as adults, which reduces their ability to cool down. Parents unintentionally can make some mistakes that increase babies’ and children’s body temperature, like going outdoors with them on hot days, dressing them in many layers of clothes, or turning off the air conditioner and not giving them a bath every day,” Dr Radwa Hassan Mohamed Ibrahim, Specialist Pediatric at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai, told Gulf News.
Further explaining why children are at a higher risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses, Dr Samer Saade, Specialist Paediatrician at Medcare Medical Centre, Mirdif and Al Barsha South, said that children have a greater surface area to body mass ratio, which is one of the main reasons their bodies heat up faster than adults.
“The higher ratio affects the water loss from the body and perspiration, which are both higher. Also, children tend to play more outside and do not have a good judgment to limit exertion in hot weather. They are also unable to take care of themselves in the heat, especially in terms of rehydration,” Dr Saade said.
The higher ratio affects the water loss from the body and perspiration, which are both higher. Also, children tend to play more outside and do not have a good judgment to limit exertion in hot weather. They are also unable to take care of themselves in the heat, especially in terms of rehydration.
Children have a proportionately larger BSA to mass ratio, due to their smaller size and as a result, they are at greater risk of excessive loss of heat and fluids and are affected more quickly and easily by toxins that are absorbed through the skin.
How do I know if my baby is affected by the heat?
“Heat can even affect babies, who may show that they are being affected by heat by touching their hands and feet, or if they are looking unsettled and uncomfortable, continuously crying or being very thirsty. Major signs in babies are when they look unwell and pale, with fewer wet nappies. When it comes to older children, you need to look out for when they look very tired with little energy, as they are all signs of dehydration,” Dr Radwa said.
Babies and children cannot adjust to high temperatures as efficiently as adults, as they don’t sweat as much as adults, which reduces their ability to cool down. Parents unintentionally can make some mistakes that increase babies’ and children’s body temperature, like going outdoors with them on hot days, dressing them in many layers of clothes, or turning off the air conditioner and not giving them a bath every day.
Tips for parents to apply during extreme heat conditions
1. Stay indoors with children during the hottest part of the day.
2. Give them a bath/shower every day.
3. Set the air conditioner’s temperature to what makes them feel comfortable, while wearing a single piece of clothing.
4. When outdoors, stay under covered or shaded areas.
5. Use a sun block cream, preferably above 50 SPF (avoid regular use on children below the age of six months).
6. Use light coloured clothes without overdressing.
7. If your child shows any signs of dehydration, immediately hydrate him or her by frequent breastmilk or plenty of cool water, remove their clothes, bathe them with cool water and turn on the air conditioner at an appropriate temperature. If the child still looks the same, immediately seek medical attention.
8. Drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities, preferably water or sports drinks.
9. Practice sports and vigorous activity during the cooler times of the day.
10. Increase time spent outdoors slowly and gradually to get your child's body get used to the heat.
11. Teach your child to warm up and cool down before and after exercising.
12. Move to a cool place, rest and remove excess clothing when heat-related illness is suspected.
1. Heat rash: Skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot and humid weather.
2. Heat cramps: Painful cramps especially in the legs with flushed and moist skin.
3. Heat exhaustion: Heat cramps in addition to low grade fever, gastro-intestinal disturbances like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, fatigue and headache, and fainting.
4. Heat stroke: It is the most dangerous complication that is characterised by warm skin, high grade fever, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), gastro-intestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite), fatigue and neurological complications (headache, confusion, stupor, seizures and coma). Death is also possible if the child is not treated.
Things you should not do
1. Never leave your baby in a car - unattended, even for a short time. The temperature in a parked car can quickly climb to dangerous levels.
2. Do not hydrate children with soda or drinks that contain caffeine.
3. Do not cover babies in strollers to avoid sun exposure, as it can expose them to extreme heat.
4. If the temperature is higher than 35 degrees celcius, do not rely on a fan alone to keep them cool.
