"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - W.B. Yeats  

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

| CWK Producer

The heat of summer is a risk to many of us, but young children have three strikes against them when it comes to beating the heat.

First, children have more surface area compared to body volume than an adult, “So what that means is that they’re going to absorb more heat from the environment,” says pediatrician Dr. John Thomas.

“Another issue is that children produce more heat, so each pound of child produces more heat energy than one pound of adult.”

“The other thing that is probably the most important thing,” adds Dr. Thomas, “is that children do not sweat effectively.  They really don’t sweat effectively until after going through puberty, and sweating is the most important way that we use to control our temperature.” 

For 2-year-old Zoë, the heat has occasionally been past her point of tolerance.  Earlier this summer, Zoë’s mom says, “she was just running around playing, being a two-year-old, you know, she just hit that wall, and she threw up, she just got overheated, she was red instantly and she threw up, it was just too much for her.” 

Zoë remembers that experience clearly. “It was hot,” she says.

Doctors say the dangers and the damage from heat stroke can come quickly for a child, more so than an adult.  Signs may include muscle cramps at first, then dehydration and exhaustion.  In heat stroke, the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature.  “Those children will not be sweating ,” Dr. Thomas says, “and they’re at extreme risk of organ damage.”

But Dr. Thomas warns that parents should practice prevention, rather than wait for any signs of overheating in a child.   “To be honest with you, children may not demonstrate symptoms until they’re in a lot of trouble, so you really want to use more prevention, and just limit the amount of time and exercise, try and limit it to times of the day when it’s not so hot.”

What We Need To Know

Exercising children do not adapt to extremes of temperature as effectively as adults when exposed to a high climatic heat stress.  The adaptation of adolescents falls in between.  The reasons for these differences include:

• Children have a greater surface area-to-body mass ratio than adults, which causes a greater heat gain from the environment on a hot day and a greater heat loss to the environment on a cold day.
• Children produce more metabolic heat per mass unit than adults during physical activities that include walking or running.
• Sweating capacity is considerably lower in children than in adults, which reduces the ability of children to dissipate body heat by evaporation.

Sunburn

• Symptoms:  Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches.
• First Aid:  Take a shower, using soap, to remove oils that may block pores preventing the body from cooling naturally.  If blisters occur, apply dry, sterile dressings and get medical attention.

Heat Cramps

• Symptoms:  Painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles.  Heavy sweating.
• First Aid:  Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasms.  Give sips of water.  If nausea occurs, discontinue.

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms:  Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy.  Weak pulse.  Normal temperature possible.  Fainting, vomiting.
• First Aid:  Get victim to lie down in a cool place.  Loosen clothing.  Apply cool, wet cloths.  Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place.  Give sips of water.  If nausea occurs, discontinue.  If vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms:  High body temperature (106+).  Hot, dry skin.  Rapid, strong pulse.  Possible unconsciousness.  Victim will likely not sweat.
• First Aid:  Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency.  Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services or get the victim to a hospital immediately.  Delay can be fatal.  Move victim to a cooler environment.  Try a cool bath or sponging to reduce body temperature.  Use extreme caution.  Remove clothing.  Use fans and/or air conditioners.  DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS.

According to the Red Cross, there are a few tips parents can use to keep their kids from overheating:

• Slow down.  Avoid strenuous activity.
• Avoid too much sunshine.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Keep heat outside and cool air inside.
• Conserve electricity not needed to keep you cool.
• Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use.
• If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours.
• Dress appropriately:
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors
• Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often.
• Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

Resources

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Red Cross
• Federal Emergency Management Agency

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