Symptoms and First Aid for Babies with Heatstroke

With summer approaching and the sun’s intensity increasing, many babies may show symptoms of heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if severe. Here’s a guide to recognizing heatstroke symptoms in babies and how to provide first aid.

Symptoms of Heatstroke in Babies

Even adults can easily suffer from heatstroke in extreme heat, and since babies’ thermoregulatory systems are not fully developed, they are even more susceptible. If babies are exposed to sunlight for too long, they may quickly overheat due to their inability to regulate body temperature effectively, leading to heatstroke. Heatstroke often comes on suddenly, but there are warning signs such as thirst, lack of concentration, excessive sweating, and weakness.

1. What is Heatstroke?

   Medically, heatstroke refers to an acute illness caused by the disruption of the body’s thermoregulatory function due to high temperatures, primarily affecting the central nervous system and circulatory system. Apart from high temperatures and prolonged sun exposure, factors like excessive physical activity, prolonged working hours, lack of sleep, and fatigue can also contribute to heatstroke.

   Heatstroke is categorized into three stages: prodromal heatstroke, mild heatstroke, and severe heatstroke.

2. Types of Heatstroke
   • Prodromal Heatstroke: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, thirst, palpitations, with normal or slightly elevated body temperature. These symptoms can be relieved with short-term rest.
   • Mild Heatstroke: In addition to the symptoms of prodromal heatstroke, the body temperature rises above 38°C, and symptoms include flushed or pale complexion, profuse sweating, cold and clammy skin, low blood pressure, and rapid pulse. Rest can help the baby recover.
   • Severe Heatstroke: Also known as heat exhaustion, symptoms include cool, clammy skin, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, abdominal or limb cramps, rapid pulse, and may be accompanied by unconsciousness, high fever, or even loss of consciousness.

First Aid for Babies with Heatstroke

1. Lower the Temperature: Move the baby to a cool, shaded area and remove their clothes. If possible, use a fan or air conditioning to lower the ambient temperature. Use a damp, cool towel to wipe the baby’s body, but avoid using ice water or ice packs as they can cause blood vessels to constrict, trapping heat in the body.
2. Ensure Clear Breathing and Stimulate Pressure Points: Keep the baby’s airway clear. If the baby is vomiting, clean the vomit promptly. If the baby is unconscious, stimulate the baby’s pressure points such as the philtrum (Ren Zhong), inner pass (Nei Guan), and Hegu (between the thumb and index finger). If you have a sterilized needle, you can lightly prick the philtrum and let a drop of blood out, which can be effective for babies who are sweating profusely and feeling weak.
3. Hydration: If the baby is conscious, offer small amounts of cool, salted water or green bean soup, but avoid overhydration, especially with hot water, as it can cause excessive sweating and further dehydration, potentially leading to seizures. For babies aged two to three, give 30-50 ml of fluid every hour. Do not give water to an unconscious baby to avoid choking.
4. Massage Pressure Points: Gently massage the depressions on either side of the large tendon on the back of the baby’s neck (Feng Chi points), as well as the depression directly below the lower lip (Cheng Jiang point). This helps relax neck and shoulder muscles, relieve dizziness and headaches, and quench thirst.
5. Seek Medical Attention: If the baby’s body temperature reaches 38°C or higher, seek medical attention immediately.

High-Risk Groups for Heatstroke

Those working outdoors under the scorching sun or in hot, enclosed environments are at high risk, including bus drivers, traffic police, construction workers, farmers, field workers, students in outdoor physical education classes, and factory workers in steel mills or textile mills. People with weakened immune systems such as infants, the elderly, and pregnant women, as well as individuals with certain medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and diabetes, are also susceptible. Additionally, those who are malnourished or on long-term medication, such as anticholinergic drugs, are at higher risk.

Severe heatstroke can be divided into heat stroke, sunstroke, and heat cramps.

• Heat Stroke: Typically occurs in hot environments like a bathroom or a steel mill. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, thirst, excessive sweating followed by lack of sweat, shallow breathing, rapid pulse, red face, agitation, confusion, and rapid rise in body temperature, possibly leading to unconsciousness.
• Sunstroke: Occurs due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, causing symptoms similar to heat stroke, such as severe headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and potentially unconsciousness and seizures. Body temperature may not always rise, but the head temperature can exceed 39°C.
• Heat Cramps: Often occur in hot, stuffy rooms due to excessive sweating and loss of sodium, leading to low blood sodium levels and muscle cramps in the legs or even the entire body.

Prevention Tips for Heatstroke

1. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Try not to be exposed to the sun from 10 AM to 4 PM. If you must go out, wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and carry enough water or drinks.
2. Appropriate Clothing: Wear cotton, linen, or silk fabrics and avoid synthetic materials that don’t breathe well.
3. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Reduce intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty. When sweating heavily, drink some salted water.
5. Get Enough Sleep: Ensure adequate sleep to prevent heatstroke. The best time to sleep is from 10 PM to 11 PM, and to wake up between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM. Avoid sleeping directly in front of an air conditioner or fan.
6. Avoid Strenuous Exercise: Avoid intense outdoor activities during the day. Opt for swimming or slow jogging in the morning or evening.
7. Be Prepared: Carry heatstroke prevention medicines like Huoxiang Zhengqi, Rendan, and Fengyoujing for emergencies.

By understanding these tips and first aid methods, parents can better protect their babies from the dangers of heatstroke.