Children can be more vulnerable in the heat—here’s how to protect them this summer

Written by Wen-Qiang He, James Smallcombe, Natasha Nassar, and Ollie Jay, The Conversation

Extreme heat is becoming more common in Australia and around the world, and besides causing discomfort, it can also impact our health. Exposure to extreme heat can worsen existing medical conditions or lead to issues like heat stroke.

Due to a combination of physiological and behavioral factors, children are particularly susceptible to severe heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

In a recent study, we examined emergency department (ED) visits and unplanned hospital admissions among children in New South Wales on days with heat waves.

We observed a significant increase in children requiring hospital care compared to milder days, presenting a range of health issues.

Why are children more vulnerable to heat?

Sweating is the primary way our bodies release heat and cool down.

Children have a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, which can aid in sweating and heat loss through evaporation. However, this can also lead to faster loss of fluids and electrolytes through sweating, potentially increasing susceptibility to dehydration.

Additionally, younger children, especially babies, have limited sweating capacity compared to older children and adults, making it harder for them to cool down effectively.

Children often engage in more outdoor physical activities, exposing them to higher temperatures. They may also be less attuned to signs of overheating, such as excessive sweating, putting them at risk. Young children, in particular, may struggle to recognize early signs of heat stress or communicate discomfort.

Our research

Our goal was to investigate children’s exposure to extreme heat stress and the associated health risks.

We defined extreme heat as “heat wave days,” characterized by at least two consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature above the 95th percentile based on a universal thermal climate index. This threshold ranged from 27°C to 45°C depending on the location.

We analyzed ED visits and unplanned hospital admissions among children aged 0–18 years in NSW between 2000 and 2020, totaling approximately 8.2 million ED visits and 1.4 million hospital admissions.

We found that hospital admissions for heat-related illnesses were 104% more likely on heat wave days compared to non-heat wave days, with ED visits being 78% more likely. Heat-related illnesses ranged from minor conditions like dehydration to life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke.

However, heat-related illnesses were not the only conditions that increased during heat waves. We also observed spikes in childhood infections, particularly infectious enteritis potentially linked to food poisoning (up 6% for ED visits and 17% for hospital admissions), ear infections (up 30% for ED visits and 3% for hospital admissions), and skin and soft tissue infections (up 6% for ED visits and 4% for hospital admissions).

Many infectious diseases exhibit seasonality, with heat and humidity increasing the risk of certain infections caused by various pathogens.

For instance, warmer temperatures and higher humidity can promote the survival of bacteria like Salmonella on foods, heightening the risk of foodborne illnesses. Hot weather can also elevate the risk of ear infections, especially in children who swim or play in water, leading to moisture in the ear canal and potential pathogen growth.

Which children are most at risk?

Infants under one year old were found to be at a higher risk of ED visits and hospital admissions for any reason during heat waves compared to older children, likely due to their limited ability to regulate body temperature and dependence on caregivers for cooling.

Our study also revealed that children from disadvantaged areas were more susceptible to heat-related illnesses during heat waves. While the exact reasons are unclear, it is hypothesized that families in poorer areas may have limited access to air conditioning and reside in warmer neighborhoods.

Keeping children cool: Tips for parents

Infants and young children are often exposed to high levels of heat when taken outside in strollers. While parents may cover strollers with cloths for sun protection, a recent study found that this can actually increase temperatures inside the stroller. Using a wet cloth and a small fan to circulate air near the child can help maintain lower temperatures.

When children are not in strollers, and for older kids, it’s important to take steps to keep them cool and safe.

It’s essential to remember that temperatures reported in weather forecasts are measured in the shade, and sun-exposed areas can be significantly hotter. Seeking shade whenever possible is crucial.

Physical activities should be limited or scheduled during cooler times of the day to prevent overheating. Sunscreen and hats are important for sun protection, but keeping the child’s skin cool by spraying water and wetting their hat can also help.

Proper hydration is key on hot days. Offering regular water breaks and including hydrating foods like watermelon and oranges can aid in staying hydrated.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.