Babies are easily susceptible to environmental changes. For instance, a sudden temperature rise may cause heat stroke in babies. Likewise, an extremely hot day could be as difficult as wintry weather for them. Though rare, a heat stroke may cause serious consequences in babies. Therefore, you must keep a watch on your little one’s symptoms to manage the condition while it is in moderation. Read on to discover the causes, signs, treatments, and prevention of heat strokes in babies.
What Is A Heat Stroke?
A heat stroke or sunstroke is a heat-related illness where the body is unable to dissipate heat efficiently, leading to a surge in the core body temperature (1). The condition is called hyperthermia in medical terms. The body produces heat through several metabolic activities. It sheds that heat through radiation from the skin and evaporation of sweat, thus allowing the body to maintain normal temperature. However, high ambient temperatures and high humidity can prevent the body from losing sufficient heat, leading to overheating. Evaporation does not occur when the ambient humidity exceeds 75% and is less effective in infants because they are not acclimated. It can eventually cause a gradual rise in body temperature to more than 104°F (40°C), resulting in a heat stroke. Sometimes, the temperature can dangerously reach 106°F (41.1°C). Temperatures exceeding 106°F or 41.1°C generally are catastrophic and require immediate aggressive therapy (2).
Is Heat Stroke Same As Heat Exhaustion And Heat Cramps?
No. It is different although heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps are all heat-related illnesses. The following are the key differences between them (3) (4):
What Causes Heat Stroke In Babies?
When parents think of heat stroke, they think of summer. But the reasons for heat stroke go beyond the summer heat. Here are the things that can cause your baby to suffer heat stroke:
What Are The Symptoms Of Heat Stroke In Babies?
A baby experiencing a heat stroke will display the following symptoms (7) (8): The symptoms do not emerge suddenly but develop gradually over an hour or several hours depending on the intensity of the cause of the heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and you must act fast.
What To Do When A Baby Has A Heat Stroke?
When your baby is having a heat stroke, follow these quick home remedies:
Move the baby to a cool place: If the baby is in the car, take them indoors to a cooler environment. Removing the baby from the hot environment is the first step in letting the baby’s body cool down.
Remove excess clothing like a jacket: You can let the baby stay in a diaper to allow the body to cool down better.
Spray cool water and then fan the skin: The water should be cool and not cold or ice-cold. The ideal temperature of the water is 59°F (15°C). Use a spray bottle to spray a fine mist of water on the baby’s skin and then fan it. It can help in quick loss of heat at a rate of almost 0.56°F (0.31°C) per minute.
Place ice packs at different parts: in the underarms, groin, neck, and forehead to bring down the temperature.
Give cool fluids to drink: If your baby is younger than six months, then you can breastfeed to help the baby feel better. Infants older than six months can be breastfed and given frequent sips of cool water.
Call local emergency number or rush to a doctor: Your baby will also require medical attention and administration of intravenous fluids. Therefore, once you have observed the initial remedies to cool down the body temperature, call the local emergency number or take the baby to the doctor right away.
How Is Heat Stroke Treated?
Babies diagnosed with heat stroke should be admitted to the hospital for at least 48 hours to monitor for complications. Here is what the doctors will do beyond the home remedial steps:
Provide intravenous fluids for hydration because heat stroke can gradually cause dehydration. The IV fluids can also help bring down the core body temperature.
Monitor renal and neural function. The health of the baby’s kidneys and the brain are monitored continuously to ensure that these organs function properly.
Keep the ambient temperatures low to allow the body to cool down efficiently.
The doctors may continue using remedies like spraying cool water on the baby’s skin and placing of ice packs at different parts of the body instead of giving any medications.
What Are The Complications Of Heat Stroke In Babies?
An unattended heat stroke in babies can lead to the following complications:
Dehydration is one of the most common complications of heat stroke. A rise in temperature can cause the body to lose water and electrolytes quickly.
High body temperature can cause the central nervous system to shut down and make the baby slip into a coma. The baby may also experience convulsions and seizures. In severe cases, they may sustain permanent damage to the nervous system.
Multiple organ failure can occur when timely help is not provided. It can eventually cause cardiac arrest and death.
Complications of heat stroke seldom happen if the baby is provided prompt attention. But did you know it is much easier to prevent heat stroke?
How To Prevent Heat Stroke In Babies?
You can prevent heat stroke in babies by minimizing their risk of exposure to high temperatures. Here is what you can do to avoid heat stroke in an infant:
