Heat Related Illnesses and Your Kids

As the local heat index continues to linger around 105 degrees, Mid-South kids are at risk for heat-related illness.

Heat-related illnesses are more common in the summer, but can occur at other times, depending on environmental factors, said Dr. Barry Gilmore, medical director of Emergency Services at Le Bonheur Children's. In fact, heat stroke ranks as the third-leading cause of death among U.S. high school athletes.

"The best thing parents need to practice during extreme heat is common sense," Gilmore added. "Young children don't need to be out in the heat at all, if possible. However, if they must, keep it brief.

At greater risk
Temperature, humidity, sun exposure, wind and clothing can all contribute to heat-related illnesses. Prolonged exposure to the hot environment, recent illness with mild dehydration, certain medications and even caffeinated drinks can contribute to increased risk of heat-related illness.

According to Gilmore, young children are particularly susceptible to heat injuries because they have a decreased ability to sweat and actually require a higher core temperature to start sweating. They also have decreased cardiac output at a given metabolic rate and are slower to acclimate to temperature changes. Moreover, they produce more heat than adults for the same level of activity.

"There are five recognized heat related illnesses - heat edema, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke." Gilmore said. "The last is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. These patients tend to have a high heart rate, low blood pressure, increased body temperature and be confused or in a comatose state. They can suffer from failure of their kidneys, bleeding problems and cell breakdown, which can cause up to a 10 percent death rate."

How to help
If you think someone might be having a heat stroke, call emergency medical personnel immediately, Gilmore said. While you are waiting for medical assistance, take the person into an air-conditioned building or a cool, shady place. Remove the person's unnecessary clothing to help cool him or her down. Try to fan air over the person while wetting the skin with water. You can also apply ice packs to the person's armpits, groin, neck and back. These areas contain a lot of blood vessels close the surface of the skin. Cooling them with ice packs can help the person cool down.

"Kids need to hydrate with water and parents should keep them drinking it before they have a chance to get thirsty. If your child has dark-colored urine that is a key indication they are dehydrated. Eliminate that problem and prevent it by continuously providing cold water as their main source of fluids. Hydration is the best prevention."