Baby heat stroke signs

Heat Stroke in Children and Babies

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Posted by Revere Health

September 13, 2018 • Family Medicine

Children are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke than healthy adults, which is why it’s essential for parents to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and how to prevent it.

Heat Exhaustion: The Precursor to Heat Stroke

Typically heat stroke occurs when a person’s core body temperature reaches 105 degrees Fahrenheit, but this number varies from person to person. That is why it is so important to recognize when your child begins to develop heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include the following:

Weakness and extreme fatigue
Increased and almost insatiable thirst
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Irritability
Fainting
Cool, clammy skin
Headache
Increased body temperatures

When Heat Exhaustion Becomes Heat Stroke

If left untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke. Heat stroke is a dangerous and life-threatening condition, and it should be treated as a medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke include:

Weakness or dizziness
Confusion
Severe headache
Labored breathing and increased heart rate
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Flushed, hot and dry skin
Little to no sweating
A body temperature of 105 degrees or higher

If your child demonstrates any of these symptoms, get him or her to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Your reaction time could mean the difference between life and death.

How To Recognize Heat Stroke in Babies

Babies, unlike toddlers, cannot express pain verbally. For this reason, you need to be extra vigilant when out with your infant on a hot day. Some signs of heat stroke to watch out for in infants include:

A temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit
Rapid pulse
Vomiting
Hot, red and dry skin
Shallow breathing
Lethargy
Unconsciousness

If you suspect that your baby has heat stroke, call 911 right away. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, try bring down your child’s internal temperature:

Undress your little one and lay him or her in a shaded and cool location
Sponge bathe your baby with a washcloth dipped in cool water.
Use an electric fan to keep your child’s temperature down.

How To Prevent Heat Stroke in Babies

It doesn’t take much to prevent heat stroke in your little one:

Dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing on hot days
Keep him or her out of direct sunlight
If possible, make sure your little one stays in the shade during the hottest part of the day
When in the car, keep the windows up and AC on
Make sure that your child has plenty of liquids to drink, especially when temperatures are higher than normal
If your home doesn’t have AC, bring your baby to a library or the mall to find relief from the heat

Heat stroke can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. By familiarizing yourself with the causes and symptoms, you can protect your little one and ensure that he or she stays healthy and happy in the heat. To learn more about how you can keep your child healthy, talk to your doctor.

Revere Health Orem Family Medicine is devoted to comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages and providing thorough and timely healthcare for the entire family throughout all stages of life.

Sources:

“Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, and Your Toddler: What Parents Need to Know.” Isa Down, Parents.

https://www.parents.com/health/heat-exhaustion-heat-stroke-and-your-toddler-what-parents-need-to-know/

“First Aid: Heat Illness.” Kids Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke-sheet.html

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.

Heat Exposure and Reactions

Is this your child's symptom?

Symptoms after being in high temperatures (such as heat waves)
Symptoms after hard work or sports during hot weather
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are covered
Prevention of heat exposure symptoms also covered

Types of Heat Reactions

There are 3 main reactions to hot temperatures and heat waves.
Heatstroke or Sunstroke (Serious). Symptoms include hot, flushed skin with high fever over 105° F (40.5° C). More than 50% of children with heatstroke do not sweat. Heatstroke can cause confusion, coma or shock. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. It has a high death rate if not treated promptly.
Heat Exhaustion. Symptoms include pale skin, profuse sweating and nausea. Dizziness, fainting, or weakness can also be signs. Can have a mild fever 100 - 102° F (37.8 - 39° C) for a short time. Most of the time, there is no fever. Most of these symptoms are caused by dehydration from sweating. A person can progress from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. So, all patients with severe symptoms (such as fainting) need to be seen now. Mild symptoms (such as dizziness) can be treated at home with fluids and rest. But, if these don't resolve with treatment, these children also need to be seen.
Heat Cramps. Severe muscle cramps in the legs (calf or thigh muscles) and stomach are present. No fever. Tightness or spasms of the hands may occur. After your child drinks fluids and cools down, he or she will feel better. All symptoms should go away in a few hours.

Causes of Heat Reactions

All 3 reactions are caused by exposure to high temperatures often with high humidity.
Exertion. During hot weather, hard work or sports can cause heat production to exceed heat loss.
Dehydration. Sweating during hot weather can cause sweat loss to exceed fluid intake. Poor hydration then interferes with sweating and increases the risk of heat reactions.
Heat waves. The first heat wave of the summer can cause heat problems. It takes 8 to 10 days for you to become used to high summer temperatures. This sudden change in temperature can also happen on vacations.
Exposure to a very high temperature. Examples are being inside a hot car or in a steam tent. Being indoors without air-conditioning during heat waves is the main cause of heat stroke in the elderly.
Health and risk factors. Babies are less able to sweat when hot. Obese children also have a decreased ability to give off heat.

When to Call for Heat Exposure and Reactions

Call 911 Now

Hard to wake up or can't wake up
Acts or talks confused
Seizure occurred
Signs of shock (very weak or gray, cool skin)
Fever over 105° F (40.5° C)
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Age less than 12 weeks old and not acting normal after heat exposure
Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
Vomiting keeps from drinking fluids
Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
Fever or dizziness still there after drinking fluids for more than 2 hours
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Self Care at Home

Normal muscle cramps or sore muscles from heat exposure
Normal dizziness from heat exposure
Normal fever (under 104° F or 40.0° C) from heat exposure
Prevention of heat reactions

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Bellevue
Everett
Federal Way
Seattle

Care Advice for Heat Exposure

Drink Lots of Fluids:
- All the symptoms of heat reactions respond to fluid replacement.
- Type of Fluid. Give your child as much cold water as he will drink. Do this until he feels better.
- If you have a sports drink (such as Gatorade), give it instead. Sports drinks contain water, salt and sugar.
- How Much (Teens). Start with 3 cups (24 ounces or 720 mL). Then give 1 cup (240 mL) every 15 minutes for the next 1-2 hours.
- Preteens (6-12). Start with 2 cups (16 ounces or 480 mL). Then give 6 ounces (180 mL) every 15 minutes for the next 1-2 hours.
- Urine Color. The urine color can tell you if drinking enough fluids. Dark yellow urine means mild dehydration. Clear or light yellow urine means your child is drinking enough fluids.
Heat Cramps - What You Should Know:
- Heat cramps are the most common reaction to heat exposure. They are never serious. Sometimes, they can be an early warning sign of heat exhaustion.
- The cramps occur in the muscles that were working the hardest.
- Heat cramps can be quite painful.
- Heat cramps mean that the body needs rest and more liquids and salt.
- Heat cramps should clear in 1 to 2 hours after lost fluids are replaced.
Heat Exhaustion:
- Put the child in a cool place. Have him lie down with the feet elevated.
- Undress him (except for underwear) so the body surface can give off heat.
- Sponge the entire body surface constantly with cool water. Make the water as cold as tolerated without causing shivering.
- Weakness should clear in 2 to 3 hours after lost fluids are replaced.
Dizziness - What You Should Know:
- Dizziness and weakness can be caused by mild dehydration. This occurs from all the sweating that happens when hot.
- Dizziness should clear in 1 to 2 hours after the lost fluids are replaced.
- Mild dehydration can also cause nausea. It should pass after drinking enough fluids.
Fever - What You Should Know:
- The body can become overheated from activity when it's hot outdoors. The temperature should come down to normal after drinking fluids and resting. This may take 1 or 2 hours.
- Fluids: First, have your child drink some liquids.
- Cool Bath: Second, take a cool bath or shower for 5 minutes. Cool means less than body temperature. Reason: brings down the temperature faster.
- No Meds: Fever medicines are of no value for this type of fever.
Salty Food:
- After your child has taken 2 or 3 glasses of water, offer some salty foods. Potato chips or pretzels are helpful.
- Don't give salt tablets. Reason: They slow down the absorption of water and may cause vomiting.
Rest - Lie Down:
- Rest in a cool place with a fan until feeling better.
Prevention Of Heat Reactions:
- Drink more water. When working or exercising in hot weather, have your child drink large amounts of cool water. This helps to prevent dehydration. For teens, this means at least 8 ounces (240 mL) every 15 to 30 minutes. Water is the ideal liquid for replacing lost sweat. Very little salt is lost.
- Sports drinks. Most often, special sports drinks offer no advantage over water. But, they are helpful if working out for longer than an hour. If that is the case, replace 1 water drink per hour with a sports drink.
- Take water breaks. Do this every 15 minutes in the shade. Drink some water even if you're not thirsty. Thirst can be delayed until a person is almost dehydrated.
- Avoid salt tablets. They slow down stomach emptying and delay the absorption of fluids.
- Dress cool. Wear a single layer of lightweight clothing. Change it if it becomes wet with sweat. Protect babies with fevers from heatstroke by not bundling them in blankets. Also, do not dress them in too many clothes. Children usually need the same number of clothing layers as adults.
- Exercise smart. Physical activity in hot weather should be increased slowly.
- Sports coaches suggest that exercise sessions be shortened and made easier when it's hot. This is usually when the temperature is over 82°F (28°C). Also, this is very important if the humidity is high.
- Stay cool. During heat waves, spend as much time as possible inside with air-conditioning. Electric fans also help. Slow down. It takes at least a week to get used to hot summer temperatures.
- Limit hot tub time. When using a hot tub, limit use to 15 minutes. Use a "buddy" system in case a heat reaction suddenly occurs.
- Do not use a hot tub if your child has a fever. Also, do not use them right after hard work or sports. The body needs to get rid of heat. Age limit: children less than 3 years old should not use hot tubs. Reason: poor heat tolerance and increased risk for rapid onset of high body temperature.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Vomiting keeps your child from drinking
- Signs of dehydration occur
- Muscle cramps last more than 4 hours
- Fever goes above 104°F (40. 0°C)
- Fever lasts more than 2 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/29/2022

Last Revised: 01/13/2022

symptoms, signs, treatment, what to do at home

wrapped too warmly. Due to the undeveloped system of thermoregulation, young children are most exposed to temperatures. That is why they are easily supercooled and overheated.

Pediatricians remind that the optimal air temperature in the nursery should not be below 18 °C and not exceed 22 °C. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to convince grandmothers, and sometimes mothers of babies, to regularly ventilate the premises and not wrap babies in clothes and blankets. Excessive love for warmth, at best, will manifest itself in the baby with prickly heat and diaper rash, and at worst - heatstroke. Due to their age, young children cannot explain what is happening to them, and parents often run the risk of missing the first symptoms of overheating.

What is heatstroke

This is a general overheating of the body due to a violation of its thermoregulation processes. Normally, heat transfer occurs due to the production of sweat. As it evaporates, it cools the body. Therefore, increased sweating is considered the first sign of heat stroke. Failure of thermoregulation disrupts the water-salt balance, which in turn leads to oxygen starvation of the brain and disorders in the cardiovascular system. Severe overheating can be fatal.

Causes of heat stroke in a child

You can get heat stroke in the passenger compartment of a bus or car when it is stuck in a traffic jam and the outside air temperature exceeds 30 °C.

Increase risk of heat stroke:

hot weather and high humidity close to 100%;
hot activity;
drinking disorder;
overweight or vice versa lack of body weight;
air temperature above 36 °C;
Synthetic or too warm clothing.

In addition to infants, children with diseases of the central nervous system, with a Scandinavian type of appearance (pale skin and blond hair) and adolescents against the background of hormonal changes are most often at risk of heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat stroke in a child

Doctors distinguish three forms of heat stroke: mild, moderate and severe:

mild symptoms are thirst, infrequent urination, general weakness and headache.

With an average form - the headache increases, the skin turns red, the body temperature can rise to 40 ° C, the pulse quickens, there is a breakdown, nausea and vomiting, the child may lose consciousness.

In severe form , these are muscle cramps, hallucinations, delirium, the child loses consciousness, the temperature can rise to 41-42 ° C and heart palpitations. If you do not provide medical assistance to the child at this stage, then he may fall into a coma!

In infants, in addition to increased clammy sweating, symptoms of overheating include reddened and then pale skin and a bluish nasolabial triangle. With the deterioration of the condition, moodiness and crying are replaced by lethargy and drowsiness. These symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and frequent belching.

Treatment of heat stroke in a child

– The first aid for heat and sunstroke in children is the same as in adults, first of all, it is cooling the body, says ambulance doctor Mikhail Konevsky . - If the defeat occurred outside, then move the child to the shade, if indoors, then to a cool, well-ventilated room. Remove shoes or squeezing clothing from the baby, put a roller of clothing under your feet to ensure blood flow to the brain. It is advisable to turn on the fan or air conditioner. Wipe the child with cool water, put a wet towel or any cold compress on the head. Call an ambulance!

- To restore the water balance to the baby, if he is conscious, you can give cool mineral water without gas, plain water or sweet tea, - advises pediatrician Daria Doronina . - If this is a teenager, you can replace the water with a solution of rehydron. Fluid should be given in small but frequent portions. To avoid getting vomit during vomiting, you need to put the child on his side and slightly raise and tilt his head. You can bring the child to life with the help of ammonia, or by patting his cheeks with a cold towel.

Remember that when providing primary care, doctors do not allow ice showers or taking a child into a cold river or sea, as this will create additional stress on the body and may worsen the condition.

Diagnosis

The task of parents is not to overlook heat stroke in their child, and not to confuse its manifestations with similar symptoms of other disease states, such as poisoning and SARS. To assess disorders in the nervous system, the child may be prescribed a blood test to clarify the content of sodium, potassium and gases, as well as a urine test to exclude kidney damage. In severe forms of heat stroke, the doctors of the intensive care unit will deal with the diagnosis and treatment of the victim.

Modern methods of treatment

Popular children's doctor Evgeniy Komarovsky , states that if a child has suffered a heat stroke, then this is always a reason for a medical examination. Our expert ambulance doctor Mikhail Konevsky agrees with him.

- If the heat injury was mild, no additional treatment is needed with proper primary care. To restore metabolism, blood circulation and the functioning of the central nervous system, it is enough to observe bed rest for several days. But only a doctor can assess the condition of the child, - emphasizes Mikhail Ilyich.

If the damage is moderate, the local pediatrician may prescribe drugs to normalize the blood supply. If the baby has suffered a severe form of heat stroke, then intramuscular and intravenous administration of drugs, as well as oxygen and, if necessary, anticonvulsant therapy and other medical manipulations, will be required to normalize the water-salt balance.

Prevention of heat stroke in a child at home

in hot weather, wear light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics;
the baby must wear a Panama hat or a hat with a brim;
avoid walking and traveling by public transport or car between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.;
let your child drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather;
do not leave a child in a closed car;
do not overfeed children and avoid fatty foods;
limit excessive physical activity of children in hot weather.

Infants:

wipe babies frequently with wet wipes;
do not neglect daily bathing;
do not forget to give water to breastfed and formula-fed children;
ventilate the room and maintain the temperature;
Humidify the air near the baby's bed.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Which drug should be given to a child if heat stroke is suspected?

- Avoid all drugs until the ambulance arrives. While waiting for the doctor, provide primary care: let's drink and cool the body, - recommends ambulance doctor Mikhail Konevsky .

When do you need to call an ambulance? How long does it take to recover from heat stroke?

- If the baby is under 3 years old and has impaired or absent breathing, the experts emphasize. - Older children need to call an ambulance for blue skin, increased heart rate, fainting or convulsions. It is impossible to say exactly how long a serious condition will last in one case or another. After a serious overheating, recovery of the body can take a month or even more!

Heat (solar) stroke in children of different ages. — Network of MC "Doctor Bogolyubov"

Symptoms, first aid. How to prevent heat (sun) stroke.

To help you understand this relevant topic in the summer, we recommend that you carefully consider this article.

Heat stroke is a pathological condition caused by overheating of the body, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, cessation of sweating and loss of consciousness. Sunstroke is a form of heatstroke that occurs when a child's head is directly exposed to sunlight.

Symptoms in children under 1 year of age.

Overheating may appear early with the following symptoms: restlessness, the child becomes agitated, cranky, cold sweat breaks out, the skin becomes hot and red, the child begins to breathe heavily and yawns, belching occurs, diarrhea may begin if the child is not taken away from the heat source at this stage then - with an increase in temperature to 40 degrees, the child's behavior is replaced by severe weakness, cold sweat, yawning, nausea, vomiting, the skin turns pale. There may also be twitching of the muscles of the limbs and face. Facial features are sharpened, the general condition deteriorates sharply.

How to protect a child up to a year from heat or sunstroke?

Avoid prolonged stay in a stuffy, damp room with a high temperature; do not place the baby's crib close to a hot battery or stove; you can’t wrap yourself in a warm blanket or clothes that are not suitable for the weather, while making sure that the child is in a panama hat, spacious cotton or linen clothes, be careful that the baby drinks more, while infants are recommended to drink more water, from 11 am to 5 pm not to be with a child under direct sunlight, and at the same time it is desirable to be in a well-ventilated room or under a canopy, awning. periodically wipe the baby's body with a cool, damp handkerchief, napkin, towel

Symptoms in children older than one year:

With mild heat stroke, weakness, irritability, aggression, headache, nausea, increased heart rate and respiration are observed.

The average severity of heat stroke is manifested by a decrease in motor activity, dry lips, severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, unsteady and unsteady gait, darkening of the eyes, stupor (tinnitus) and fainting, rapid pulse and breathing, as well as fever up to 39-40 degrees without sweating.

Severe heat stroke develops suddenly. The face turns red at first, then turns sharply pale, dry skin is pronounced, consciousness may be impaired, inhibited reaction to stimuli. Convulsions, hallucinations, delirium are observed. The temperature rises to 41-42 degrees while the child does not sweat.

How to protect a child after a year from heat, sunstroke?

Make sure that the child is always in a panama hat (the best option, because it covers a large area of the baby's skin and is well ventilated at the same time) or a cap. Clothing should be loose, comfortable, not synthetic. Make sure that the child drinks more (water, chilled dried fruit compote, chilled children's teas). Was not exposed to direct sunlight from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Provide access to fresh air. Make sure that the space under the awning or canopy is well ventilated, since the lack of air and stuffiness are dangerous, as they also lead to overheating of the body. If you are relaxing near water bodies, then swimming will protect your body from overheating. If there is nowhere to swim, you can, from time to time, wipe the child with a cool, damp handkerchief or towel.

How to help a child if heat or sunstroke occurs?

1. Take the baby to a cool place

2 if the child is warmly dressed (not according to the weather), take off his clothes or unfasten them, give access to cool (not cold) air to the child's skin.

3 provide the child with a fractional drink (preferably in small sips every 3-5-7 minutes), it is better if it is cool drinking water (do not give carbonated, sweet and milk drinks)

4 wipe the child's skin with napkins or a towel soaked in cool water, you can use a cold compress on the forehead

5 at the same time constantly monitor the temperature (if the temperature has dropped below 38 degrees, then it is not recommended to carry out further activities, since a sharp decrease in body temperature is highly undesirable.

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