Heat stroke in the baby – symptoms, treatment and prevention

Heat stroke in the child: prevent, recognize and act

  • If you experience higher temperatures on your child or baby’s body, causing it to overheat, there is an increased risk of heat stroke.
  • Especially for toddlers and babies a heat stroke is life-threatening, so must be called in case of suspicion an emergency doctor.
  • By paying close attention to your child and following a few simple rules, you can specifically prevent the heat stroke.

1. Heat stroke due to lower sweat production in the baby

Babies and toddlers are at an increased risk of heat stroke because their body can overheat faster due to less sweat production.

The heat stroke in the baby or child occurs when its Body was extremely overheated. In simple terms, body temperature rises sharply, while the body’s own cooling processes and heat regulators fail. Especially Infants and babies are at risk of heat stroke. This is partly because, in particular, infants produce little sweat. Your body heats up faster. Another danger is that your child often does not notice the heat stroke itself or too late. However, too much sweat production can be a warning sign.

The Causes or triggers for a heat stroke For example, your child or baby may be:

  • Stay in the overheated car
  • too warm clothes
  • too long sun exposure

An overheating of the body and a dangerous accumulation of heat occurs when the heat loss of the body does not work properly. This regulation usually occurs through increased sweat production and the expansion of the blood vessels.

2. What to do at first signs and how to recognize symptoms?

Since your child does not immediately notice the heat stroke, as you already mentioned, you should pay attention to appropriate signs on hot days. This can be, for example, a heat exhaustion, you u.a. Recognize that your child is thirsty and has a dry mouth. There are also circulatory problems and a rather cool, moist and pale skin.

In that case, your little darling belongs immediately in the shade. You should open tight clothes and up the legs of the child. In addition, the child or baby must drink a lot now – preferably water, but please nothing hot or sweet. There in heat exhaustion usually a salt deficiency Give him salted pretzels or pretzels to eat. You may also be able to shower the child coolly, but not freezing cold. The rest of the day should then stay in the cool. If it does not come to a quick recovery, a visit to a doctor or hospital is required.

Your child should drink enough water during heat exhaustion, but in a heat stroke only if he is conscious and does not complain of nausea.

Of the Heat stroke in the child or baby is the most dangerous form of heat exhaustion. Here comes to the lack of fluid and salt a heat accumulation, which makes the condition of the child life-threatening. The following symptoms may occur:

  • high fever at 39 degrees and above
  • crimson, dry and hot body
  • later the skin becomes pale and gray
  • flat and fast breathing or pulse
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
  • Child seems restless and / or confused
  • Lethargy and / or hallucinations
  • a headache
  • cramps
  • Clouding of consciousness until unconsciousness

3. Possible serious consequences require quick action

As a result of heat stroke, the brain can swell up, cause cerebral edema and leave permanent brain damage. Also to respiratory arrest or to cardiovascular standstill it can come and in the worst case, death of the child. That’s why quick action is required.

The graphic shows some measures that you should take in case of heat stroke of your child.

The first treatment, if the child or baby suffers from a heat stroke, is First aid measures – and usually and after you called the ambulance. In any case, the important thing is Lower body temperature. What else you can do depends on the symptoms:

  • The child to one bring shady, cool place and take off.
  • Large cold envelopes with towels or similar perform or rub the body with a cold washcloth or coolpacks.
  • The should Cooling gentle on the circulation take place, i. first the hands and feet and then “inside” the rest of the body.
  • Fan fresh air to your baby or child – either by hand or with a fan.
  • The child is only allowed to drink, if it is conscious and has no nausea.
  • Stay with the little one, calm it down and me >

Note: In case of cardiovascular or respiratory arrest, immediately start resuscitation of the infant or resuscitate the child.

The Therapy in the hospital Depending on the condition of the small patient, e.g. consist of a circulatory stabilizing infusion and cooling measures to lower body temperature. If there is a pronounced heat stroke in your child, the treatment takes place in an intensive care unit.

The duration of your stay in the hospital depends on the severity of the heat stroke and how long your child has been exposed to the triggering factors. Therefore, we can not tell you exactly how long your little sweetheart will be sick. The Regeneration usually takes 24 to 48 hours (in adults). However, in infants and children, or in severe cases, it may take much longer to recover completely.

4. Avoid blazing sun, dress airily and drink a lot

On the beach, the sun is reflected by sand and water, so that their effect is enhanced – increased risk of heat stroke!

So that your baby or child does not suffer heat stroke, you can prevent in different ways. It’s enough if you follow a few simple rules:

  1. Small children and infants belong in midsummer between 11:00 and 16:00 not in the blazing sun.
  2. Leave your child never alone in the parked car – not even with the window open. By the way, this ALWAYS applies when your vehicle is in the sun, even in cooler temperatures.
  3. Watch out for good ventilation in the moving car – because otherwise babies can suffer a heat stroke >

Tip: With the baby, you can test with your hand on the neck, if it is too warm. If the place is dry and warm, everything is fine. If it is wet and hot, you should react accordingly.

Related Posts

Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Christina Cherry
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: