Home Wisdom teeth Heatstroke in a baby: what to do. Heatstroke in a child: symptoms and treatment for how long

Heatstroke in a baby: what to do. Heatstroke in a child: symptoms and treatment for how long

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heat stroke, but in vain - the length of time a child spends in the open sun during the summer season must be strictly controlled

What is heatstroke?

  • outside in the summer heat;

Causes of Heat Stroke

  • excess weight;
  • pathologies of the central nervous system;

Signs in a baby

  • baby crying loudly;
  • poor appetite;
  • general weakness, apathy.

Symptoms in children over one year of age

  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • strong feeling of thirst;
  • increased body temperature;
  • skin redness;
  • dry lips;
  • sudden attacks of vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • general weakness.

Heat stroke treatment

How to help a baby?

Treatment of children 2-3 years old

  • hormonal agents;

Consequences of hyperthermia

Causes of overheating

  • high air humidity;

Complexion Pale Red with bright blush
Leather Wet, sticky Dry, hot to the touch
Thirst Pronounced May already be missing
Sweating Enhanced Reduced
Consciousness Possible fainting
Headache Characteristic Characteristic
Body temperature High, sometimes 40°C and above
Breath Normal Rapid, superficial
Heartbeat Rapid, weak pulse
Convulsions Rarely Present

First aid for overheating

What is heatstroke?

  • warm clothes;

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

  • low sweating;
  • rapid pulse and breathing;
  • pallor;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • weakness, vomiting.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

  • monitor his activity;

Summer is a long-awaited time for every child. At this time of year, especially on hot days, children spend a lot of time outside, so parents should be aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke. It is very important to know how to prevent heatstroke and what to do if this trouble does occur to your child.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heat stroke, but in vain - the length of time a child spends in the open sun during the summer season must be strictly controlled. What is heat stroke?

Heatstroke is called pathological condition human, arising under the influence of high temperatures, at which the process of thermoregulation is disrupted. The body receives a large amount of heat from the outside, in addition to that generated as a result of vital activity, which leads to overheating.

Heatstroke can be caused by prolonged exposure to:

  • outside in the summer heat;
  • in a room with high air temperature;
  • wearing clothes that are too warm and out of season.

Causes of Heat Stroke

The main reason is severe overheating of the body. When you spend a long time in a hot room or outside in the summer heat, a malfunction occurs in the part of the brain responsible for thermoregulation. The heat generated by a person accumulates in the body and cannot be released.

The process of heat transfer in humans occurs when sweat is produced, which evaporates, cooling the body. Heat is also released when cold air is inhaled and capillaries located close to the surface of the skin expand. In summer, the air temperature is high, which means that the body does not release heat to warm it. Other types of thermoregulation do their job well if you do not interfere with them.

In order to protect a child from overheating, it is necessary to ensure that he has something to quench his thirst, and that clothing does not prevent the evaporation of sweat. Liquid from the surface of the body evaporates only if the air environment dryer air under clothes. With high humidity, sweat does not evaporate, but flows down in a stream, while the surface of the skin does not cool. Clothing should not be too tight to the body so as not to interfere with heat dissipation.

The main factors preventing heat transfer are:

  • air temperature exceeding body temperature, at which heat is not removed from the body;
  • high air humidity values;
  • synthetic or too warm clothes;
  • long-term effects on the body sun rays;
  • physical activity in the summer heat;
  • excess weight;
  • fair-skinned children are more likely to overheat;
  • pathologies of the central nervous system;
  • unstable thermoregulation system.

Symptoms in children at different ages

Signs of hyperthermia are more pronounced in children than in adults, and the clinical condition can deteriorate very quickly.

Overheating causes dehydration and intoxication of the body, which lead to serious complications and pose a threat to the health and life of the child. Whenever characteristic features you need to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of heatstroke in infants vary. In order to provide timely help to a child and avoid the disease progressing to a more severe form, it is necessary to know how overheating in children manifests itself and how long it lasts.

Signs in a baby

Babies under one year old are often hypothermic and easily overheat, so there is no need to wrap them up in a well-warmed room. Heat stroke can be determined by the following signs:

  • baby crying loudly;
  • the face turns red, the temperature rises;
  • Sticky sweat appears on the tummy and back;
  • signs of dehydration appear (reddened eyes, dry armpits and lips);
  • poor appetite;
  • general weakness, apathy.

In infants, the process of dehydration occurs very quickly, so at the first symptoms of heat stroke, you should seek help. medical care

When a child appears characteristic symptoms he needs to provide first aid and contact medical institution. If heatstroke in an infant is not recognized in time, he may become severely dehydrated and lose consciousness.

Symptoms in children over one year of age

Clothes that are too warm can also cause overheating in children over one year old. This also contributes to increased activity babies, in which their body temperature rises, and clothing does not allow the heat to escape. In unventilated, warm rooms, the likelihood of overheating increases.

In children over 1-2 years old, it is much easier to recognize heatstroke, since the symptoms are more pronounced:

  • with a mild degree of overheating, children are characterized by increased physical activity, leading to a worsening of the condition;
  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • strong feeling of thirst;
  • increased body temperature;
  • skin redness;
  • dry lips;
  • sudden attacks of vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • general weakness.

With mild heatstroke, the baby experiences weakness and a constant feeling of thirst, nausea and vomiting are possible. First aid when symptoms appear

At the first symptoms of heatstroke in a child, you should call a doctor. Before their arrival, parents must complete the following steps:

  • Move the child to a well-ventilated, cool room.
  • Place the baby on a horizontal surface.
  • If the child is in fainting, you need to raise his legs, after placing a towel or some clothing under them. This position improves blood flow to the head.
  • If there is severe vomiting, you need to turn the baby's head to the side to ensure air flow to the lungs.
  • If clothing is made of synthetic materials or restricts movement, it must be completely removed.
  • To avoid dehydration, the child must be given water to drink. It should be given often in small sips. To restore the salt balance, it is better to give mineral water or saline solutions, such as Regidron, Trihydron, Reosalan - this will help prevent seizures.
  • Apply any cloth moistened with water to the back of your head and neck. You can also wipe the child’s body with it or gradually pour water at room temperature. You cannot bring a hot baby into a cold body of water.

If you have heatstroke, apply a cold compress to your child's forehead.

  • You need to apply something cold to your forehead, such as a bottle or bag. The newborn can be completely wrapped in a wet towel or sheet.
  • For proper breathing, it is necessary to ensure air flow using a fan or newspaper.
  • In case of fainting, the baby can be given a cotton swab soaked in a solution of ammonia to sniff, which can be found in any car first aid kit.
  • If a child suddenly stops breathing, if the medical team has not arrived yet, it is necessary to give him artificial respiration. To do this, tilt the baby's head back slightly, cover the baby's nose with one hand, and hold the chin with the other. After taking a deep breath, release air into your mouth for a few seconds. When air enters the lungs, the chest should rise.

Heat stroke treatment

Treatment of hyperthermia begins with providing first aid to the child. After the doctors arrive, the patient is hospitalized and continues therapeutic measures in a hospital setting. A child who has suffered heatstroke must be treated. Otherwise, it is very difficult to avoid serious consequences for the baby’s health.

How to help a baby?

The first task of parents in case of heatstroke in a baby is to lower body temperature. To do this, he must be completely undressed or unswaddled.

Then move on to other cooling methods:

  • wipe the baby’s body with water, the temperature of which should not be lower than 20°C; too cold water can cause a worsening of the condition;
  • wrap the newborn in a cold diaper, which needs to be changed every 8-10 minutes;
  • Place the child in a bath of water at room temperature for 5-7 minutes.

If the procedures are carried out at home, then it is necessary to have an air conditioner or fan running in the room. If first aid is provided on the street, then the patient is transferred to the shade.

After overheating, the newborn is provided with a constant supply of fluid to the body. Every 30 minutes the baby needs to drink at least 50 ml of water or breast milk. For hyperthermia accompanied by vomiting, the dose of fluid is increased.

If heatstroke is accompanied by cardiac arrest, the infant is given artificial respiration, alternating it with cardiac massage. Each inhalation should be followed by 5 presses. bottom part sternum.

Treatment of children 2-3 years old

For hyperthermia in a 2-3 year old child, treatment is carried out in a similar way. Emergency doctors assess general state the patient and, if necessary, hospitalize him in a hospital.

Treatment of heat stroke depends on its severity; sometimes doctors insist on hospitalization of the child

Scheme drug therapy for children under 4 years of age the following:

  • taking antishock and antipyretic drugs with a dosage appropriate to the child’s age;
  • intravenous administration of solutions to normalize electrolyte balance in the child’s body;
  • reception hormonal drugs to improve hemodynamics;
  • anticonvulsants are prescribed as needed;
  • in critical situations, tracheal intubation is performed.

Therapy for children over 3 years of age

Children of preschool and school age have more stable thermoregulation, but despite this, they can also get heat stroke if they spend a long time in the sun or in a very hot room. In a hospital setting, therapy is carried out using the following medications:

  • the drugs Droperidol and Aminazine are administered intravenously according to the instructions;
  • saline solutions are infused using a dropper to prevent dehydration and normalize electrolyte levels;
  • cardiotonics normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
  • hormonal agents;
  • anticonvulsants Diazepam and Seduxen are used for treatment only when necessary.

Consequences of hyperthermia

In case of hyperthermia, assistance should be provided immediately. If treatment procedures are not carried out in the first hours after the pathology is detected, the child will experience severe complications:

  1. Blood thickening. Occurs due to lack of fluid, leads to heart failure, thrombosis, and heart attack.
  2. Severe form renal failure. In most cases, it appears under the influence of metabolic products formed in the body at high temperatures.
  3. Respiratory failure. Associated with changes in the part of the brain responsible for respiratory function. With hyperthermia it manifests itself in an acute form.
  4. Damage to the central nervous system, the main symptoms of which are: severe vomiting, fainting, hearing, speech and vision disorders.
  5. Shock is one of the most dangerous conditions resulting from dehydration. When there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, the blood supply to most internal organs is disrupted.

The holiday season is ahead. Over the winter, we all missed the sun and warmth. But the sun and heat are not as harmless as they seem at first glance. Even in our latitudes, no one is safe from sun and heatstroke. Especially when it comes to children.

Today we’ll talk about a topic that is very relevant for all parents in the summer: heat and sunstroke. Moreover, the relevance remains regardless of where you will relax with your children - at sea or in the country.

Let's look at the causes and symptoms of heat and sunstroke, first aid, and, of course, prevention of such conditions.

The consequences of overheating are often underestimated by parents. Heatstroke in a child - serious problem. The insidiousness of this condition is that the first symptoms of the disease can be perceived as the onset of a cold or simple malaise and fatigue.

Late diagnosis always leads to an advanced condition and, consequently, to serious consequences that require serious treatment. That’s why every parent needs to know everything about overheating of the body and measures to prevent it.

What is heat and sunstroke?

Heat stroke is a pathological condition in which all thermoregulation processes in the body are disrupted due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. That is, a large amount of heat comes from outside. Additionally, heat is produced in the body itself (the heat production mechanism works), but there is no heat transfer.

Heatstroke can develop outside in hot weather, in a hotly heated room. This can also happen in conditions where the ambient temperature is not very high, if the child is wrapped up very warmly.

Sunstroke is separate form heatstroke. This condition is characterized by impaired health due to exposure to direct sunlight directly on the child's head.

Young children are especially susceptible to this condition. In children, thermoregulation processes are still imperfect due to their age. They often develop heatstroke even at low ambient temperatures. Also in young children the disease progresses rapidly.

In infants, the diagnosis of overheating is complicated by the fact that children cannot complain or tell what is bothering them. And the symptoms of a child overheating are nonspecific. Lethargy, capricious behavior, tearfulness can be caused by various reasons. These symptoms may not always be immediately associated with overheating. Therefore, it is very important to protect babies from the sun and heat, and indeed from any overheating.

Causes of overheating

Although sunstroke is considered a special form of heatstroke, they are not identical. If only because they have different causes.

In other words, if a child is in the shade in hot weather with a hat, then he will not have sunstroke, but he is not immune from developing heatstroke.

The cause of heat stroke is general overheating of the entire body due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Due to overheating, a breakdown occurs in the functioning of the thermoregulation center in the diencephalon. The body actively produces heat, but cannot give it away.

Heat loss normally occurs mainly through the production of sweat. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, cools the human body.

Additional options for heat transfer - energy (heat) consumption to warm inhaled air and expand blood capillaries at the surface of the skin (the person turns red).

During hot weather, little heat is spent on warming the inhaled air. And two other thermoregulation mechanisms work. If we don’t interfere with them, of course...

What should I do to avoid interfering? It's simple! Firstly, parents should pay special attention to ensuring that the child has something to sweat with and that his clothes allow the sweat to evaporate.

There is one more nuance here. Liquid (in in this case, sweat) evaporates if the surrounding air is drier than the layer of air directly next to the body, under clothing. When humidity is high, sweat flows in a stream, but does not evaporate. Working simple laws physics. Consequently, skin cooling does not occur.

Plus, to prevent overheating, clothing should be loose so that heat from the dilated blood capillaries is freely removed from the skin.

Let’s summarize what has been said and add something, systematically answering the question: “What leads to a violation of heat transfer?”

So, the following factors complicate heat transfer and cooling of the body:

  • heat (air temperature above 30°C). At temperatures above 36°C, heat is not removed from the surface of the skin at all, and sweat does not evaporate;
  • high air humidity;
  • improperly dressed (dressed too warmly or wearing synthetic clothing in which the skin cannot breathe and sweat does not evaporate or absorb);
  • prolonged exposure to the sun (no shade);
  • intense physical activity in the heat;
  • deficiency of fluid intake (the child drinks little);
  • Excess subcutaneous fat in plump children interferes with the release of heat.
  • fair-skinned, fair-haired children tolerate heat less well;
  • taking antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs slows down heat transfer;
  • disruption of the heat transfer process may occur due to pathology of the central nervous system or due to the physiological immaturity of the thermoregulatory system in infants.

Heatstroke can also develop in children who are in a closed car in the heat or during a traffic jam, when the car is practically motionless. When the air temperature outside is about 32-33°C, the temperature inside the car can rise to 50°C within 15-20 minutes.

Now let's talk about sunstroke. It is a consequence of exposure to direct rays of the sun on a person’s head. That is, the cause of sunstroke can be expressed in a simple phrase: “My head is hot.”

The time for symptoms of sunstroke to appear varies. It happens that something wrong is felt immediately while being in the sun. But often the symptoms of sunstroke develop delayed, 6-9 hours after returning from a walk in direct sunlight.

Main signs of heat stroke

In the clinic, heat stroke can be divided into three degrees of severity.

In mild cases it appears headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dilated pupils. The skin is moist.

Even with a mild form of heatstroke, you should definitely consult a doctor. If help was provided to the child on time, hospitalization is usually not necessary.

Moderate heat stroke is characterized by an increasing headache combined with nausea and vomiting. The skin is red. Temperature increases to 40°C are typical. Heartbeat and frequency breathing movements are becoming more frequent.

The child has pronounced adynamia (reluctance to move). Confused consciousness occurs, a state of stupefaction occurs, and the baby’s movements are uncertain. Pre-syncope or brief loss of consciousness may occur.

A severe form is indicated by loss of consciousness, a coma-like state, and the appearance of convulsions. Psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, and confusion of speech may also develop.

On examination, the skin is dry and hot. The temperature reaches 42°C, the pulse is weak and frequent (up to 120-130 beats per minute). Breathing is frequent, shallow, intermittent. A short-term cessation of breathing is possible. Heart sounds are muffled.

Main symptoms of sunstroke

Weakness, lethargy, headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting are pronounced.

Often one of the first signs of a stroke is vomiting or diarrhea. Older children complain of ringing in the ears and flashing of flies. The baby's body temperature rises.

The skin is red, especially on the face and head. Pulse is frequent weak filling, breathing is rapid. Increased sweating is observed. Nosebleeds often occur.

Symptoms of severe damage are similar to those of heatstroke (loss of consciousness, disorientation, rapid and then slow breathing, convulsive muscle contractions).

Doctors identify another concept when heat exchange is disrupted - heat exhaustion. This condition may precede the development of a more serious pathological condition - heat stroke. Thus, we can say that heat exhaustion is a pre-heat stroke.

If heat exhaustion is not diagnosed in a timely manner or treated adequately, the process can progress and lead to disastrous consequences, sometimes even fatal.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in comparison table:

Complexion Pale Red with bright blush
Leather Wet, sticky Dry, hot to the touch
Thirst Pronounced May already be missing
Sweating Enhanced Reduced
Consciousness Possible fainting Confused, possible loss of consciousness, disorientation
Headache Characteristic Characteristic
Body temperature Normal or slightly elevated High, sometimes 40°C and above
Breath Normal Rapid, superficial
Heartbeat Rapid, weak pulse Rapid, pulse is barely traceable
Convulsions Rarely Present

First aid for overheating

  1. Move baby to a shaded or cool, ventilated area. Try to keep the space around the victim open. It is necessary to exclude mass gatherings of people (onlookers). Call an ambulance.
  2. Place the child in a horizontal position.
  3. If consciousness is impaired, the legs should be in an elevated position. Place clothing or a towel under your ankles. This will increase blood flow to the brain.
  4. If nausea or vomiting has already begun, turn your head to the side so that the child does not choke on vomit.
  5. Remove outerwear from baby. Release your neck and chest. It is better to remove thick or synthetic clothing altogether.
  6. The child must be thoroughly fed with water. Give water in small portions, but often. The water should not be very cold, as this can cause stomach cramps and vomiting. It's better to desolder mineral water or special saline solutions (Regidron, Normohydron). The baby loses salts through sweat. Due to their rapid mass loss, the concentration of electrolytes in the body decreases. This may cause seizures. Saline solutions quickly restore the water-electrolyte composition
  7. Wet any cloth with cool water and apply it to the forehead, neck or back of the head. Wipe your baby's body with a wet cloth. You can gradually pour more and more water over your body with a temperature of about 20°C. You cannot suddenly bring a hot baby into the water (sea, pond).
  8. Then apply a cold compress (a bag or bottle of cold water). A very small child can be wrapped in a wet diaper or sheet.
  9. Provide fresh air. Fan it with a fan-like motion.
  10. If the baby's consciousness becomes clouded, carefully let him sniff a cotton ball soaked in 10% ammonia (available in any car first aid kit).
  11. In an emergency situation, when the baby stops breathing, when the medical team has not yet arrived, you need to save the child yourself. You'll have to remember what you taught in medical or medical classes. military training. You need to tilt the child's head back slightly so that the chin moves forward. One hand should be placed on the chin and the other should cover the child's nose. Take a breath. Release air into the baby's mouth for 1-1.5 seconds, clasping the baby's lips tightly. Make sure your baby's chest rises. This way you will understand that the air went into the lungs. After suffering from heat illness, it is simply necessary to adhere to bed rest for several days. These recommendations should not be violated. After all, this is the time small organism necessary to restore normal functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and to normalize certain metabolic processes.

10 main rules for preventing thermal disorders

Parents should always remember about measures to prevent such conditions. Children are a risk group. They can experience heatstroke or sunstroke even with short exposure to the sun or in a stuffy, hot room.

It is better to prevent thermal disorders in children in advance.

  1. When walking in sunny weather, dress your child in light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics. White color reflects the sun's rays. Leaky natural fabrics allow the body to breathe and sweat to evaporate.
  2. Always protect your baby's head with a light-colored panama hat or a hat with a brim. For older children, protect their eyes with tinted glasses.
  3. Avoid resting during the sunniest hours. These are hours from 12 o'clock to 16 o'clock, and in the southern regions - even from 10 o'clock in the morning to 5 o'clock in the evening.
  4. The child should not be in direct sunlight, that is, in open areas. It should be in the shade (under an umbrella, the sandbox should have a roof).
  5. Plan your vacation so that your child does not have intense physical activity in the heat (trampoline jumping, air slides, excursions).
  6. Alternate sunbathing (up to 20 minutes) with swimming. It is better to sunbathe while on the move, and only in the morning and evening. Under no circumstances should a child spend his afternoon nap on the beach.
  7. Children are strictly prohibited from sunbathing, so do not insist that your child lie on the beach (sunbathe) with you. Don't be outraged that he can't lie or sit quietly for more than three seconds))
  8. Children should drink a lot! IN normal conditions the child should drink 1-1.5 liters of liquid. When the air temperature rises above 30 degrees, this volume can amount to up to 3 liters of water. Maintaining fluid balance is one of the important measures to prevent heat illness. Even breastfed infants need additional water. It will be more convenient for mommy to give it not through a spoon, but from a syringe without a needle. In this case, you need to direct the stream of water along the wall of the cheek. That way he won't spit it out. Otherwise, he will definitely do it. He will quickly realize that this is not mother’s milk at all, but something much less tasty... Although it must be said that some children drink water very willingly.
  9. Periodically wipe your baby's face and hands with a wet diaper. Wash your baby more often. This will help cool him down and wash away the irritating sweat that instantly causes prickly heat in children.
  10. Proper nutrition in the heat is also worth paying attention to. In hot weather, you should not eat heavily. Children, as a rule, do not want to eat during sunny hours. Give your child the opportunity to snack on juicy fruits and vegetables, light products from milk. Move a full meal to the evening. In hot weather, do not rush to go outside immediately after eating. At best, this can be done only after an hour.
  11. If you have the slightest suspicion of feeling unwell or unwell, immediately stop walking or relaxing on the beach. Seek medical attention.

These simple rules will help you and your children enjoy sunny weather without fear for their health. May the sun be your joy!

Heat stroke does not only occur when exposed to direct sunlight. Overheating of the body is formed under the influence of high ambient temperature.

Prolonged stay in a bathhouse, sauna, exposure to direct sunlight are factors leading to disruption of the central core of thermogenesis - the hypothalamus. This body responsible for the interaction between heat production systems and sweating.

Manifestations, signs and symptoms

Long walks in the fresh air, visiting beaches, or working in hot conditions can cause heat stroke.

Prolonged overheating of the body should not be allowed. Children have unstable thermoregulation systems, so even slight overheating can contribute to cerebral edema - this is a life-threatening condition. Against the background of hyperthermia, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and water-salt imbalance occur. With the long-term existence of such pathophysiological disorders, death is likely to occur.

It is advisable not to cause heatstroke in a child to avoid dangerous consequences.

Early and late signs of heat stroke in children

Against the background of accelerated biochemical reactions, dehydration of the body occurs, accompanied by excessive loss of fluid. Early signs of fluid loss:

  1. Thirst;
  2. Dry mouth;
  3. Sticky saliva;
  4. Decreased urination, appearance yellowish discharge from the urethra.

With moderate hyperthermia, the following signs of the disease appear:

  • lacrimation;
  • Dry mouth;
  • Thirst;
  • Brown urine;
  • Headaches and dizziness;
  • Restless behavior;
  • Irritability;
  • Muscle cramps;
  • Coldness of the extremities;
  • Cardiopalmus.

If the above-described signs of the disease appear, the patient must be hospitalized. Correction of violations requires the use of resuscitation equipment. A highly qualified doctor is required to prevent life-threatening complications in children.

In severe stages of the disease, the following symptoms occur:

  • Inability to walk;
  • Attacks of anger and embarrassment;
  • Drowsiness;
  • Weak pulse;
  • Dry and hot skin;
  • Lack of urination;
  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Increased breathing.

To eliminate complete dehydration of the body, it is necessary to inject saline and detoxifying (eliminate the accumulation of toxins in the blood) solutions. To saturate vital organs with oxygen, an ambulance is required.

Minor dehydration can be treated at home, but if signs of severe intoxication appear, the patient must be immediately hospitalized.

Loss of fluid is especially dangerous for newborns. A rapid rise in temperature, significant loss of water is dangerous, a decrease in the concentration of minerals, vomiting and diarrhea are life-threatening.

Mineral complexes (electrolytes) are natural complexes that are necessary for the occurrence of biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium are minerals without which normal cellular activity is necessary.

Electrolytes are involved in bone formation, work endocrine system, gastrointestinal tract. Dehydration of the body can provoke following symptoms heat stroke:

  • Muscle cramps;
  • Fainting;
  • Increased heart rate;
  • Redness of the skin;
  • Heavy sweating;
  • Hot, dry skin;
  • Ulceration.

To prevent the complications described above, first aid should be provided immediately after detecting at least one sign of pathology.

Treatment of heatstroke in a child

When the body overheats, the most important procedure is to transfer the victim to a cool place. Providing opportunities for access to fresh air. If a person is conscious, he needs to drink strong tea. Apply a compress based on a salted towel to your head (to prepare a solution, add a teaspoon of salt to 0.5 liters of water).

When the body overheats, stagnant changes in the brain tissue occur, the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle is disrupted, and hypoxia of the internal organs is formed. Such changes negatively affect the functioning of internal organs.

Timely cooling and wrapping the child’s body in sheets helps normalize local blood supply, prevent swelling, and restore vascular permeability.

When a moderate degree of overheating develops, cooling is not enough to normalize health.

If the victim is "loaded", pay attention to his breathing. When the tongue retracts or vomit enters the bronchi, air flow is disrupted and tissues begin to experience oxygen starvation. The condition is especially dangerous for the functioning of the brain.

Treatment of heat stroke with similar symptoms requires restoration of patency. You can use a handkerchief or bandage to clean your mouth. If breathing is weak or there is no pulse, emergency cardiac massage is required.

It is difficult to perform artificial ventilation without medical skills. Prevent real threat Human life in moderate or severe cases is possible only with the use of medications. Therapy is carried out in intensive care conditions, where there is all the necessary equipment for artificial ventilation lungs and direct cardiac massage.

Features of hyperthermia in children

There are some features of overheating of the body in children. A febrile reaction is often observed, but the overall temperature varies.

So, if there is overheating and there is a focus of bacterial infection in the body, the body temperature does not rise above 41 degrees. The “central thermostat” is responsible for such features. The hypothalamus is a gland located in the brain. It regulates the process of heat generation and heat transfer.

Fever is a favorable situation. Hyperthermic syndrome in children – dangerous situation. It develops at temperatures above 41.7 degrees. With nosology, the functionality of the hypothalamus is disrupted, which does not allow the body to rationally balance between the processes of heat formation and sweat production.

Fever is under complete control of the core. Only when the temperature rises above 38.5 do pediatricians recommend starting treatment for the disease. There is no reliable connection between increased thermogenesis and infectious diseases scientists have not established. However, in most children with heatstroke and fever with peaks of 38-39 degrees, scientists find acute or chronic bacterial infection a certain organ.

Hyperthermia above 38.4 degrees is never observed from 6 months to 6 years. Only when bacteria join does the temperature increase to 40 degrees.

There are patterns of febrile syndrome when the body overheats:

  1. 4% of children experience muscle cramps, so the use of Relanium and Sibazon is recommended;
  2. The likelihood of muscle spasms increases according to the rapid rise in the temperature curve;
  3. The formation of paralysis is observed in children with congenital anomalies of the osteoarticular system and a lack of calcium in the body.

In children with pathology of the central nervous system, respiratory diseases, high hyperthermia, pathological symptoms associated with the low effectiveness of antipyretic drugs.

Nurofen, recommended by pediatricians, is ineffective in such a situation. The drug is safe, so it can be used for any disease accompanied by fever. Nevertheless, pathological manifestations The drug does not relieve severe heatstroke in a child.

According to clinical research the effectiveness of using Nurofen for febrile convulsions in children increases by 20%. To eliminate convulsive syndrome should be used anticonvulsants(sibazon, relanium, seduxen).

After treatment of febrile seizures due to overheating, the patient should be closely monitored to prevent recurrence of seizures. Scientific experiments have established that the likelihood of pathology increases in the presence of the following signs:

  • Hyperthermia in children under 3 months;
  • Chronic diseases;
  • Hypoxia during childbirth;
  • Rigidity of the neck muscles in a child;
  • Difficulty breathing due to neurological disorders;
  • Perinatal antibiotic therapy;
  • Reduced number of leukocytes;
  • Meningitis.

In the first years of life, fever above 38 degrees Celsius may occur. Against the background of pathology, the manifestation of clinical symptoms of internal diseases may be observed. Exacerbation of sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, colitis can be observed in children under 2 years of age, which is associated with instability of the regulatory system.

Heat stroke in a child: treatment with medical and physical methods

After providing first aid, it is mandatory to call an ambulance, regardless of the severity of the disease. After arriving at the patient, the pediatrician should leave a number of recommendations to the parents:

  • Rubbing is carried out only when the temperature rises above 41 degrees;
  • Febrile seizures are treated only with medications;
  • Rubbing is carried out only with warm water;
  • Cold water causes discomfort and crying;
  • The antipyretic drug ibuprofen is prescribed only after the temperature curve rises;
  • Wiping should be done with lukewarm water, but not with alcohol. Water causes crying and can aggravate a cold, so it should be used with caution. The procedure is canceled in case of chills, convulsions, paralysis of the limbs;
  • To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, an antipyretic drug should be given 30 minutes before its use;
  • In case of heat stroke, wiping with water should be carried out immediately;
  • A febrile child should be given plenty to drink;
  • Evaporation of liquid from the surface of the skin increases heat generation. To activate it, you need to expand the skin pores by applying cool compresses to places of intense blood supply (head, chest, back);
  • Children should not be given aspirin to prevent Reye's syndrome;
  • Acetaminophen should only be used when temperature indicators V armpit over 39 degrees Celsius;
  • The first line drug is ibuprofen. Its effectiveness is longer than that of paracetamol, but the effect occurs gradually. It would be more optimal to use drugs based on these ingredients (ibuclin).

The use of any medicine in a child must be agreed with the pediatrician. If emergency procedures are necessary, the baby must be hospitalized.

The influence of external temperature on health

According to the severity of clinical symptoms under the influence of external temperature, the following degrees of the disease are distinguished:

  • Stage 1 heat stroke occurs under the influence of ambient temperatures closer to 40 degrees Celsius. In this condition, heat transfer increases, moisture evaporation from respiratory tract, skin. The patient feels lethargy, reluctance to move, and drowsiness. The general condition is satisfactory;
  • Stage 2 (adaptive) occurs at an external temperature of about 50 degrees. The heat load is compensated by the evaporation of moisture. At a temperature above 38.5 degrees, an increase in diastolic pressure by 15-20 mmHg, and systolic pressure by 10-15 mmHg is observed. Increased heart rate by 50-60 beats. Against the background of the disease, sweating (profuse) and redness of the skin are observed;
  • Grade 3 is accompanied by a breakdown of adaptive reactions. With pathology, an increase in temperature of more than 60 degrees is observed. In this case, the body temperature can reach 40 degrees. Systolic pressure increases by 30 mmHg, diastole - by 40 mmHg. Increased heart rate up to 150 beats. Against the background of pathology, an increase in lung ventilation is activated. The skin is sharply hyperemic. When examining the patient, increased sweating is observed, pressure appears in the temples, anxiety and agitation appear;
  • Grade 4 is characterized by failure of adaptive reactions. Against the background of pathology, a lesion can be traced of cardio-vascular system, pathological reactions of the central nervous system occur.

It should be noted that the greater the degree of overheating of the body, the more difficult it is to treat it. At home, only mild heat stroke in children can be treated.

Heatstroke - dangerous pathology, which should be treated with extreme caution.

In hot weather, the baby's body overheats, a lack of fluid appears, thereby causing heat stroke. In such a situation, adults need to know about its symptoms and methods of treatment or first aid.

What is heatstroke?

This phenomenon is observed when the child’s body is significantly overheated and there is a lack of fluid. Infants cannot express their desire to drink water; they are often dressed in clothes that are too warm. In older children, a heat attack can occur due to any unforeseen factors. As a result, a pathological condition arises, harmful throughout the body.

Heatstroke is the body's reaction to hot weather and high temperature regime in an apartment with high air humidity. It does not appear immediately, but after some time. Parents are required to know the main signs and methods of treating this harmful phenomenon in order to provide the baby with the necessary first aid if necessary.

Reasons for getting heatstroke

The most main reason This phenomenon is a violation of the body’s thermoregulation. It should be remembered that in young children the thermoregulation system is not fully formed. Children are most susceptible to heatstroke.

Doctors identify several factors that influence heat shock:

  • long stay in an unventilated room with an air temperature of more than 28C;
  • warm clothes;
  • the child’s bed is close to the radiator;
  • prolonged exposure to the street in hot weather without the possibility of drinking liquid.

Experts distinguish three degrees of severity of the disease. With a mild degree, the baby will feel weak, have a headache and have increased breathing speed. In moderate cases, vomiting appears, coordination of movements weakens and body temperature rises sharply. In severe cases, hallucinations and delusions begin, convulsions appear, and the temperature reaches 42C. In babies under the age of 2 years, the muscles of the arms and legs may twitch and facial features become sharper.

With severe heatstroke, the baby may faint and fall into a coma.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

The symptoms of the phenomenon are similar to sunstroke, but no burns appear on the skin. It is important for adults to pay attention to the general condition of the baby in time:

  • increase in body temperature up to 40C;
  • blue mucous membranes and lips;
  • low sweating;
  • rapid pulse and breathing;
  • pallor;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • weakness, vomiting.

In children 5 years of age and older, symptoms usually do not appear particularly pronounced. But if several signs are detected, you should urgently contact medical institution, since heat stroke in a child can, in rare cases, lead to death.

First emergency aid for a baby

First of all, you need to eliminate the causes of heatstroke. The child should be moved to a cool room (18-20C), and warm clothes should be removed. Under no circumstances should you use antipyretic drugs. To lower body temperature, wipe the baby's skin with alcohol (50%) or vodka, cologne or alcohol-containing lotion.

It is necessary to replenish the fluid deficit in the body by constantly giving a large amount of fluid. You can cool your head by applying a bag of cool water.

Methods for treating heat stroke at home

Newborn babies with heatstroke definitely need professional medical help. The decision to hospitalize a child 10 years of age or older is made by the doctor individually, depending on the severity and general condition of the body. In any case, it is necessary to provide possible assistance and try to alleviate his condition at home.

  • The amount of food consumed by an infant should be reduced by 40%. The diet should include sour mixtures and biological products. Gradually increase the amount of food to the usual norm over several days.
  • A person with heatstroke must drink plenty of fluids. Water, tea, a weak solution of salt (0.9%), baking soda (0.5%) or glucose (5%) will do.

Doctors advise using various drugs to eliminate symptoms:

  • Belladonna is used for severe headaches, redness of the skin and fever every 15 minutes 5 times;
  • Cuprum Metallicum is prescribed for muscle cramps, one dose every 30 minutes;
  • Natrum carbonicum is necessary for vomiting and general weakness.

Preventing heatstroke in babies

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat long time. To protect children, you must follow a few simple rules.

At 3 years old, a child does not understand how much fluid his body needs to wellness. Parents should carefully monitor the amount of water consumed. If necessary, give tea, water, compote on time. In summer, the body's need for fluid increases significantly.

Most parents have a tendency to dress their child in warmer clothes, thereby causing heatstroke. It is necessary to select things in accordance with weather conditions, without wrapping the baby.

The children's room should have an optimal temperature (18-22C). If the air humidity is unsuitable, you can use special devices to normalize it.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Dr. Komarovsky believes that there is nothing wrong with heat stroke. The most important thing is to know what it is and how to properly provide assistance when receiving it. It is very easy to disrupt a child’s heat transfer capabilities. To avoid heat stroke, you need to follow these basic rules:

  • a lack of fluid in the body should not be allowed,
  • in hot weather, you should choose loose clothing and protect your head from the sun's rays,
  • no need to force him to eat (minimum fat, maximum vegetables and fruits in the diet),
  • It is undesirable to drink hot drinks;
  • limit the time the child spends in places where it is hot and stuffy,
  • sunbathing from 10.00 to 16.00 is dangerous for the baby’s health,
  • monitor his activity;
  • use conditioner if necessary.
  • When traveling to the sea, parents do not need to limit their children's bathing, leaving less time for exposure to the sun.
  • Being overweight in a child increases the rate of heatstroke because heat loss occurs much more slowly.
  • Many allergy medications block sweating and heat loss. Before using any medications, consult a specialist.
  • The doctor believes that exposure to the sun can only be harmful for children. Parents should strictly monitor the baby, and in warm weather always have a bottle of liquid with them.

It turns out that heat stroke is not terrible disease. It can be easily prevented by following the tips and recommendations above.

With the onset of summer, many people spend a lot of time outdoors, so parents need to know the main symptoms of heatstroke in a child. If your baby's health suddenly deteriorates and he becomes lethargic, it means he has overheated and needs urgent help.

This disease is a painful condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to hot environmental conditions. It occurs at any time of the year, but most often in the summer. The situation is aggravated by the presence of warm or multi-layered clothing, synthetic fabrics, high humidity, abundant food, and physical activity.

There is a concept of sunstroke - it occurs when a person does not wear a hat in sunny weather. Symptoms and prevention are similar. Sunstroke is a form of heat. However, there are differences.

These diseases occur for various reasons. Parents need to know what happens in the body when overheated so that they can provide first aid to their child if symptoms of heat stroke occur.

First aid for heat and sunstroke the same.

Development mechanism

The human body adapts to different environmental weather conditions and maintains its constant temperature. If the air gets very hot, the body begins to actively sweat - this is how the heat transfers to the environment. The hotter it is outside and the higher the air humidity, the stronger man sweats. In particularly hot weather, up to 1 liter of liquid comes out with sweat in 1 hour.

Most often, infants, children, the elderly and people with disabilities suffer from overheating. chronic diseases. At the same time, heat generation processes intensify, and heat transfer processes decrease. Heat is retained in the body and does not escape outside.

If a person is hot, he begins to sweat - this is how the heat transfers to the environment. In particularly hot weather, the body can lose up to 1 liter of fluid in 1 hour of sweating.

When overheated, blood vessels constrict, heat does not go to the skin, but remains inside. When dehydrated, the blood becomes thick, circulation internal organs is violated. Blood flows to the skin (the face turns red), but there is not enough blood in the organs (weakness appears).

A person develops a fever, intoxication of the body, heart failure occurs, which can even lead to respiratory arrest and death.

Normally, thermoregulation occurs at 37 °C (± 1.5 °C). When it changes climatic conditions the heat transfer process changes. In this case, the following consequences are possible:

  1. At the compensation stage, the human body fights overheating.
  2. Compensatory reactions disrupt thermoregulation.
  3. If the symptoms are not eliminated in the previous stages, fever appears.
  4. The stage of decompensation begins.
  5. Acidosis (a form of acid-base imbalance) occurs in the last stage of overheating.

Thus, when overheated, processes occur in the body that can lead to irreversible consequences.

Causes

There are two forms of overheating:

  • overheating during physical activity (in young people, athletes, those who work in a stuffy room);
  • classic heatstroke caused by elevated air temperatures.
Not drinking enough fluids in hot weather can lead to heatstroke

Promote overheating following reasons:

  • prolonged exposure to the street in hot weather;
  • change in climatic conditions;
  • wearing multi-layer or synthetic clothing in hot weather;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • weather sensitivity;
  • heart disease (including previous heart attack or stroke);
  • overweight;
  • the use of diuretic medications (read about);
  • insufficient fluid intake;
  • use of alcohol or drugs.

If prompt assistance is not provided, the person may be seriously injured.

Symptoms

In order to provide first aid to the victim in a timely manner, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in a child and an adult.

In the next video, Dr. Komarovsky will tell you what heat stroke is and how to avoid it.

In infants

Heatstroke in children under one year of age is manifested by the following symptoms:

  • complexion changes: first skin covering turns red, then turns pale;
  • the temperature rises sharply to 38-40 °C;
  • behavior changes: at first the baby is in an excited state, after which he becomes lethargic and yawns; this happens because the body loses fluid and cannot cool itself;
  • appears cold sweat;
  • work is disrupted digestive system: nausea, belching and frequent bowel movements;
  • cramps of the face, arms and legs may appear (in this article you will learn about first aid).

The baby may be capricious and cry for a long time, he does not understand what is happening to him, he feels bad.

In children older than one year

With heatstroke, children become lethargic and have a fever

Children 1 year and older have similar main signs of heatstroke:

  • lethargy, weakness;
  • possible fainting;
  • increased body temperature;
  • nausea and vomiting (click here to find out how to stop your child from vomiting);
  • rapid pulse, faintly palpable;
  • ringing in the ears and darkening of the eyes;
  • cracked lips from dehydration;
  • bleeding from the nose.

IN childhood the disease is dangerous due to its occurrence critical condition , which can be fatal. It is urgent to call an ambulance and take the baby to the hospital. In addition, it comes on suddenly, so it is important to notice overheating in the early stages.

In adults


The main symptoms of heatstroke include headache, lethargy and elevated temperature

In adults, signs of heatstroke include:

  • lethargy, drowsiness, weakness (you want to lie down or lean on your elbows, the person cannot stand on their feet);
  • headache and dizziness;
  • facial redness;
  • temperature increase up to 40 °C;
  • intestinal disorders (vomiting, diarrhea).

After this, the person falls into a delusional state, hallucinations occur, and the patient loses consciousness. The complexion turns from red to white (bluish), and profuse sweating occurs. Further, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is disrupted (the pulse quickens, but is faintly audible). In this state it is possible death.

Severity

There are three degrees of severity, depending on which treatment is prescribed.
1
Mild degree manifested by headaches, nausea, dilated pupils, weakness and lethargy, rapid pulse and breathing. Red face, profuse sweating, possible nosebleeds.
2
Moderate severity is characterized by severe weakness and passivity: the child is lethargic, lies down all the time, is bothered by the urge to vomit, and may lose consciousness. Fever appears (up to 40 °C), tachycardia occurs, breathing is frequent and difficult.
3
Severe degree is considered the most dangerous. Convulsions are possible, the person “burns” (temperature up to 41 °C). A state of delirium, fainting occurs, blood circulation and breathing are impaired.

In medical sources you can find a division of the disease into 4 types:

  • asphyxia – respiratory failure, fever up to 38 °C;
  • hypothermia – fever, fever (39-41 °C);
  • cerebral form– arise mental disorders and neurological phenomena (convulsions, delirium, hallucinations);
  • gastroenteric form - disturbance of the digestive system (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, abnormal stool).

Most often, there is not one form of heat stroke, but several at once.

In case of heatstroke, it is necessary to prevent dehydration. It manifests itself in thirst, dry mouth, and cracked lips. It is also important to identify the signs of heat and sunstroke.

First aid

At the first suspicion of overheating, parents should call a doctor and provide first aid first aid.

First, the victim must be moved to a cool place

It is important to know what to do in case of heatstroke:

  1. Move the victim to a shade or cool room.
  2. Remove outer clothing (from the baby - diaper).
  3. Place a cold compress on your head and wipe your body with cool water (adults can be wiped with alcohol or vodka). This will help cool you down.
  4. Give cool water to drink often, but little by little. If you faint, you should not give anything to drink, as water may enter your inhalation tract! It's better to drink pure non-carbonated drinking water.
  5. If vomiting begins, the person must be placed on his side, his head raised and tilted.

You also need to know what not to do if you have heat stroke:

  • Give antipyretic drugs.
  • Provide alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
  • Quickly cool the victim (for example, immerse in cold water).

If you take these actions on time, you can avoid disastrous consequences. For mild cases, first aid is usually sufficient to restore the body. If it doesn’t get better, call a doctor immediately, he will prescribe treatment for heatstroke.

Consequences

Most often g miners and children under one year of age react to heatstroke with vomiting and diarrhea, fever. If first aid is not provided, the condition may become critical:

  • body temperature rises to 41 °C;
  • breathing slows down or disappears completely.

In particular difficult cases delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions are observed, the person may fall into a coma. How longer body overheated, the higher the risk of death.

If discomfort occurs during physical activity, this can provoke the development of various complications.

Prevention

To avoid the consequences of hot weather, you must follow a number of preventive measures:

  1. In hot weather, walk with children under one year old in the shade of trees. The best time for walking is before 11 o'clock in the morning and after sunset in the evening. The most dangerous period is considered to be from 12.00 to 16.00. At this time, you need to stay at home, in a cool, well-ventilated area.
  2. Choose clothes for your baby made from cotton or linen (avoid synthetic fabrics). The child must wear a hat. It is better to buy clothes in light colors. You can wear sunglasses over your eyes.
  3. Take water with you on your walk. You need to drink twice as much as usual. Feeding outside is not recommended.
  4. Add more vegetables and fruits to your diet (as they contain water) and reduce the amount fatty foods. You should not go for a walk immediately after eating.
  5. If the baby is taken to a resort, then it is necessary to alternate swimming and playing on the shore. You can't let him fall asleep in the sun.
  6. Wipe your baby's face with a damp handkerchief or wash with cool water more often.
  7. Adults are not recommended to drink a lot of coffee and alcohol in hot weather.. It is better to quench your thirst with cool still mineral water.

Watch the following video to learn about prevention and first aid for heatstroke.

Conclusion

Heatstroke can cause serious health problems. To avoid undesirable consequences, precautions must be taken. If overheating cannot be avoided, it is necessary to promptly identify the symptoms of heatstroke in a child and provide first aid.

Summer is a long-awaited time for every child. At this time of year, especially on hot days, children spend a lot of time outside, so parents should be aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke. It is very important to know how to prevent heatstroke and what to do if this trouble does occur to your child.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heat stroke, but in vain - the duration of a child’s exposure to the open sun in the summer season must be strictly controlled

What is heatstroke?

Heat stroke is a pathological condition of a person that occurs under the influence of high temperatures, in which the process of thermoregulation is disrupted. The body receives a large amount of heat from the outside, in addition to that generated as a result of vital activity, which leads to overheating.

Heatstroke can be caused by prolonged exposure to:

  • outside in the summer heat;
  • in a room with high air temperature;
  • wearing clothes that are too warm and out of season.

Causes of Heat Stroke

The main reason is severe overheating of the body. When you spend a long time in a hot room or outside in the summer heat, a malfunction occurs in the part of the brain responsible for thermoregulation. The heat generated by a person accumulates in the body and cannot be released.

The process of heat transfer in humans occurs when sweat is produced, which evaporates, cooling the body. Heat is also released when cold air is inhaled and capillaries located close to the surface of the skin expand. In summer, the air temperature is high, which means that the body does not release heat to warm it. Other types of thermoregulation do their job well if you do not interfere with them.

In order to protect a child from overheating, it is necessary to ensure that he has something to quench his thirst, and that clothing does not prevent the evaporation of sweat. Liquid from the surface of the body evaporates only if the ambient air is drier than the air under clothing. With high humidity, sweat does not evaporate, but flows down in a stream, while the surface of the skin does not cool. Clothing should not be too tight to the body so as not to interfere with heat dissipation.

The main factors preventing heat transfer are:

  • air temperature exceeding body temperature, at which heat is not removed from the body;
  • high air humidity values;
  • synthetic or too warm clothes;
  • prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on the body;
  • physical activity in the summer heat;
  • excess weight;
  • fair-skinned children are more likely to overheat;
  • pathologies of the central nervous system;
  • unstable thermoregulation system.

Symptoms in children at different ages

Signs of hyperthermia are more pronounced in children than in adults, and the clinical condition can deteriorate very quickly.

Overheating causes dehydration and intoxication of the body, which lead to serious complications and pose a threat to the health and life of the child. If characteristic symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms of heatstroke in infants vary. In order to provide timely help to a child and avoid the disease progressing to a more severe form, it is necessary to know how overheating in children manifests itself and how long it lasts.

Signs in a baby

Babies under one year old are often hypothermic and easily overheat, so there is no need to wrap them up in a well-warmed room. Heat stroke can be determined by the following signs:

  • baby crying loudly;
  • the face turns red, the temperature rises;
  • Sticky sweat appears on the tummy and back;
  • signs of dehydration appear (reddened eyes, dry armpits and lips);
  • poor appetite;
  • general weakness, apathy.

In infants, the process of dehydration occurs very quickly, so at the first symptoms of heat stroke you should seek medical help.

If a child develops characteristic symptoms, he needs to provide first aid and go to a medical facility. If heatstroke in an infant is not recognized in time, he may become severely dehydrated and lose consciousness.

Symptoms in children over one year of age

Clothes that are too warm can also cause overheating in children over one year old. This is also facilitated by the increased activity of children, during which their body temperature rises, and clothing does not allow the heat to escape. In unventilated, warm rooms, the likelihood of overheating increases.

In children over 1-2 years old, it is much easier to recognize heatstroke, since the symptoms are more pronounced:

  • with a mild degree of overheating, children are characterized by increased physical activity, leading to a worsening of the condition;
  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • strong feeling of thirst;
  • increased body temperature;
  • skin redness;
  • dry lips;
  • sudden attacks of vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • general weakness.

With mild heatstroke, the baby experiences weakness and a constant feeling of thirst, nausea and vomiting are possible

First aid for symptoms

At the first symptoms of heatstroke in a child, you should call a doctor. Before their arrival, parents must complete the following steps:

  • Move the child to a well-ventilated, cool room.
  • Place the baby on a horizontal surface.
  • If a child is fainting, you need to raise his legs, after placing a towel or some clothing under them. This position improves blood flow to the head.
  • If there is severe vomiting, you need to turn the baby's head to the side to ensure air flow to the lungs.
  • If clothing is made of synthetic materials or restricts movement, it must be completely removed.
  • To avoid dehydration, the child must be given water to drink. It should be given often in small sips. To restore the salt balance, it is better to give mineral water or saline solutions, such as Regidron, Trihydron, Reosalan - this will help prevent seizures.
  • Apply any cloth moistened with water to the back of your head and neck. You can also wipe the child’s body with it or gradually pour water at room temperature. You cannot bring a hot baby into a cold body of water.

If you have heatstroke, apply a cold compress to your child's forehead.
  • You need to apply something cold to your forehead, such as a bottle or bag. The newborn can be completely wrapped in a wet towel or sheet.
  • For proper breathing, it is necessary to ensure air flow using a fan or newspaper.
  • In case of fainting, the baby can be given a cotton swab soaked in a solution of ammonia to sniff, which can be found in any car first aid kit.
  • If a child suddenly stops breathing, if the medical team has not arrived yet, it is necessary to give him artificial respiration. To do this, tilt the baby's head back slightly, cover the baby's nose with one hand, and hold the chin with the other. After taking a deep breath, release air into your mouth for a few seconds. When air enters the lungs, the chest should rise.

Heat stroke treatment

Treatment of hyperthermia begins with providing first aid to the child. After the doctors arrive, the patient is hospitalized and treatment continues in a hospital setting. A child who has suffered heatstroke must be treated. Otherwise, it is very difficult to avoid serious consequences for the baby’s health.

How to help a baby?

The first task of parents in case of heatstroke in a baby is to lower body temperature. To do this, he must be completely undressed or unswaddled.

Then move on to other cooling methods:

  • wipe the baby’s body with water, the temperature of which should not be lower than 20°C; too cold water can cause a worsening of the condition;
  • wrap the newborn in a cold diaper, which needs to be changed every 8-10 minutes;
  • Place the child in a bath of water at room temperature for 5-7 minutes.

If the procedures are carried out at home, then it is necessary to have an air conditioner or fan running in the room. If first aid is provided on the street, then the patient is transferred to the shade.

After overheating, the newborn is provided with a constant supply of fluid to the body. Every 30 minutes, the baby needs to drink at least 50 ml of water or breast milk. For hyperthermia accompanied by vomiting, the dose of fluid is increased.

If heatstroke is accompanied by cardiac arrest, the infant is given artificial respiration, alternating it with cardiac massage. Each inhalation should be followed by 5 compressions on the lower part of the sternum.

Treatment of children 2-3 years old

For hyperthermia in a 2-3 year old child, treatment is carried out in a similar way. Emergency doctors assess the general condition of the patient and, if necessary, hospitalize him in a hospital.


Treatment of heat stroke depends on its severity; sometimes doctors insist on hospitalization of the child

The drug therapy regimen for children under 4 years of age is as follows:

  • taking antishock and antipyretic drugs with a dosage appropriate to the child’s age;
  • intravenous administration of solutions to normalize electrolyte balance in the child’s body;
  • taking hormonal drugs to improve hemodynamics;
  • anticonvulsants are prescribed as needed;
  • in critical situations, tracheal intubation is performed.

Therapy for children over 3 years of age

Children of preschool and school age have more stable thermoregulation, but despite this, they can also get heat stroke if they spend a long time in the sun or in a very hot room. In a hospital setting, therapy is carried out using the following medications:

  • the drugs Droperidol and Aminazine are administered intravenously according to the instructions;
  • saline solutions are infused using a dropper to prevent dehydration and normalize electrolyte levels;
  • cardiotonics normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
  • hormonal agents;
  • anticonvulsants Diazepam and Seduxen are used for treatment only when necessary.


Consequences of hyperthermia

In case of hyperthermia, assistance should be provided immediately. If treatment procedures are not carried out in the first hours after the pathology is detected, the child will experience severe complications:

  1. Blood thickening. Occurs due to lack of fluid, leads to heart failure, thrombosis, and heart attack.
  2. Severe form of renal failure. In most cases, it appears under the influence of metabolic products formed in the body at high temperatures.
  3. Respiratory failure. Associated with changes in the part of the brain responsible for respiratory function. With hyperthermia it manifests itself in an acute form.
  4. Damage to the central nervous system, the main symptoms of which are: severe vomiting, fainting, hearing, speech and vision disorders.
  5. Shock is one of the most dangerous conditions that occurs due to dehydration. When there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, the blood supply to most internal organs is disrupted.

Heatstroke is not considered a serious condition, however, it can cause significant deterioration in well-being and can be dangerous for people with diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory or nervous systems.

Not every parent will be able to recognize the first signs of heatstroke in a child in time, because children, especially small ones, cannot clearly describe what exactly happened to them, and adults often misinterpret the behavior of their children.

Signs of heat stroke in children under one year old

Many parents believe that “steam doesn’t break bones,” and the warmer the child is wrapped up, even in summer, the better, because it’s so easy for a child to catch a cold. This is by no means true.

Children under one year old have imperfect thermoregulation, and they not only easily become hypothermic, but also just as easily overheat and suffer heatstroke. A baby who is wrapped up too warmly can suffer heatstroke even in a relatively well-ventilated area. How to recognize heatstroke in a baby under one year old:

The presence of these signs in a baby is an indicator that he is overheated and feels unwell. If you do not pay attention to them in a timely manner, the baby may lose consciousness from overheating, or develop severe dehydration.

Signs of sun and heat stroke in children one year and older

Overheating due to clothing that is not suitable for the weather also occurs in older children.

Plus it gets worse physical activity, especially in clothing that does not allow heat to pass through. In addition, a child can get heatstroke while in a stuffy and warm room.

Signs of heat stroke in a child older than one year are more varied:

  1. With mild heat stroke – hyperactivity, increased excitability, which can aggravate the child’s condition;
  2. Headache and dizziness;
  3. Nausea, vomiting, occurring suddenly, gradually increasing;
  4. Thirst;
  5. High temperature, dry, hot skin;
  6. Lethargy, drowsiness, feeling tired.

But, as in children under one year old, in older children the first symptom of overheating is often overexcitement, which parents interpret as a normal state, as well as the drowsiness that follows it.

But without treatment, heat or sunstroke can lead to dehydration, sometimes severe.

Sunstroke differs from heatstroke in that it is possible only in hot weather in the open sun. Its first signs will be a feeling of overheating of the head, then headache, nausea and vomiting. Dehydration with sunstroke is less common than with heatstroke.

How to recognize heatstroke at sea

A holiday at sea can be ruined feeling unwell child. The baby and his parents swim and spend a lot of time outside.

The high intensity of solar radiation and constant exposure to its rays makes sunstroke or heatstroke more than likely. Since the body is intensively exposed to overheating, its symptoms in children develop much faster:

  • The temperature rises sharply, often immediately to very high numbers;
  • Darkness in the eyes, especially when moving;
  • Developing constant nausea, vomiting, sometimes uncontrollable;
  • The skin on the face is red;
  • Strong headache;
  • Apathy, drowsiness, which is usually not preceded by overexcitation.

How younger child, the faster these dangerous signs develop in him. It is important to pay attention to them as soon as possible and take measures to prevent the severe consequences of heat stroke - dehydration and shock.

What to do if your child has heatstroke

If parents recognize a heatstroke in a child in time, the very first thing that needs to be done is to take him out or take him out of the place where he overheated - preferably outside or into a cool, well-ventilated room. The presence of shade is mandatory - direct sunlight can aggravate the effects of overheating.

Secondly, it is necessary to remove all excessively warm clothes from the baby, unbutton buttons, cuffs, belts, and other parts of clothing that interfere with free breathing.

You need to give your child something to drink if he is able to drink. Water should be consumed in small sips, with breaks - drinking a large amount of water at once can cause vomiting.

You can apply a cloth soaked in cool water to the forehead, fan the baby with a towel, lightly spray the face and neck with water, or wipe them with a damp hand or cloth.

It should be remembered that the victim should not be cooled suddenly - this may cause severe hypothermia. Do not point a fan at him, pour water on him, or bathe him in a cold bath.

With mild heatstroke, the child’s condition will improve within half an hour, and within 24 hours all symptoms will go away if re-overheating is avoided. If this does not happen, if the child’s condition worsens, if signs of dehydration appear, especially in a child under one year old, you need to call an ambulance as quickly as possible.

What actions to take before the doctors arrive?

Until the doctor arrives, the child needs to stay in a cool and well-ventilated area, in the shade. All this time you need to lie down, preferably on your side, with a pillow or cushion of clothing under your head.

A baby in this condition needs constant access to fresh air and peace. Calming a small patient by talking is also an important part of helping the victim. If the baby wants to sleep, then you should not wake him up.

You can give children something to drink, preferably mineral water, but without gas. If it doesn't exist, it will do boiled water. It should be at room temperature.

You can place a cloth soaked in cool water on your forehead and change it as it dries. You can also wipe or spray your face and neck with water.

Antipyretic drugs can be given only if they have been prescribed by a doctor, or if the child has a dangerous fever. heat– more than 39.5º. In other cases, it is worth making do with other methods of lowering the temperature. The same applies to painkillers and sedatives– unless prescribed by a doctor, it is better to refrain from self-medication.

Prevention

To prevent heat stroke, children should be dressed appropriately for the weather - not too warm and not too light. The child's clothing should be made from natural fabrics that easily allow air to pass through, so that excess heat does not accumulate under it and cause overheating.

If the child is active, then clothes should be selected taking into account his mobility. IN sunny days You should wear a hat, preferably a light one.

When leaving home in the summer, it is advisable to have a small bottle of water with you, since overheating and dehydration often stimulate each other. You need to drink in small portions - this way the water is absorbed faster. It shouldn't be too cold. In hot weather, mineral water is more beneficial than regular boiled water.

When relaxing at sea, you should take into account that overheating under the southern sun occurs faster, and the safest time to be outside is before 10 am and after 4 pm.

This is also the safest time for swimming and sunbathing. Even more relevant than in temperate latitudes is a hat and a bottle of mineral water with you.

Many more useful information about heat and sunstroke in children - in the next video from Dr. Komarovsky.

Heat stroke (hyperthermia) is a life-threatening condition. This phenomenon occurs as a result severe overheating. Often, body temperature rises due to the fact that the body cannot cool itself, that is, the process of thermoregulation is disrupted.

Children are especially susceptible to heatstroke, since their body is not yet strong enough, many processes in it are still imperfect.

It is very easy for babies to be exposed to heat during the hot season, for example, while walking in hot weather, as well as when the body is dehydrated. Many parents do big mistake, dressing the child warmer than the season or weather conditions require.

Besides, sunburn are an additional risk factor for heat stroke. Also, you should not leave a child in a parked car, because in such conditions, damage can occur in just a few minutes, since the temperature rises much faster in transport than on the street.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Young Children

The following symptoms will help you determine if your child has heatstroke:

  • High temperature without sweating;
  • The skin often turns red, but with severe damage it becomes deathly pale;
  • Skin is hot to the touch;
  • Restless behavior, for example, aggressiveness, moodiness;
  • Headache;
  • Dizziness;
  • Absent-mindedness and lethargy, for example, the baby does not respond to the parents’ calls, tickling, etc. He may become lethargic as weakness occurs;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Breathing is rapid, shallow;
  • Unconscious state.

Parents should pay special attention to the symptoms of dehydration that accompany heatstroke of any severity.

With mild to moderate damage, correctly provided first aid becomes the key to a successful recovery. However, in the case of severe hyperthermia, there is no guarantee that the person will be saved. In more than 30% of cases, death is reported despite radical measures.

Signs of heatstroke and dehydration in a child

Parents should immediately provide first aid to their child if they observe the following symptoms:

  • Intense thirst;
  • Sticky saliva, dry mouth;
  • Minor urination, urine dark yellow or light brown;
  • When the eyes stop watering, it means dehydration has become moderate;
  • Cold extremities;
  • Point spasm;
  • Severe dehydration is indicated by uncontrollable behavior;
  • Inability to walk or stand;
  • Weak rapid pulse;
  • Pupil dilation;
  • Minor urination for 12 hours or no urination at all;
  • Fainting.

The severity of symptoms largely depends on the intensity and duration of exposure to heat on the body. Also important role factors such as: the presence of diseases, allergies, weather sensitivity, intake medications, baby's age.

Treatment of heat stroke in infants and older children

First, you need to bring down the temperature. It is very important to begin performing first aid measures as quickly as possible, since time plays a decisive role. Heat stroke in a child, and especially in an infant, progresses much faster than in an adult.

Secondly, you must definitely call an ambulance or a doctor at home if the baby’s condition is too serious.

Step-by-step first aid is as follows:

  • Undress the baby and move to a cool place. When the child is outside, it is worth moving him to the shade, although the best option would still be a cool room;
  • Before the ambulance arrives, the child’s body must be wiped with a sponge, towel or any suitable cloth soaked in water. You can apply compresses. But the water should not be icy, but simply cool, to avoid vascular collapse. Lotions are applied to the following areas and parts of the body: forehead, back of the head, neck, temples, collarbones, inner bend of the elbows, under the knees, calves, groin, sacrum;
  • Fanning with objects that imitate a fan;
  • You definitely need to talk to your baby so that he feels calmer;
  • Drink plenty of small sips. The water should be warm, but not cold, otherwise the child will vomit. You can give a solution of 5% glucose, baking soda or salt. It is worth noting that diet therapy is used for infants. It is recommended to skip one breastfeeding on the first day of illness and reduce the total amount of food by a third. The diet should include products such as kefir, sour mixtures and biological products. In subsequent days, the amount of food should be gradually increased to normal;
  • It is better to lay the patient on his back and raise his head or turn him on his side if vomiting occurs;
  • If breathing problems are observed, apply a cotton swab soaked in ammonia to your nose several times;
  • Before consulting a doctor, you should not give the victim any antipyretics, as they will not reduce the temperature and may blur the clinical picture;
  • If breathing stops, immediately perform artificial respiration and closed heart massage.

When the first signs of heat exhaustion appear, but it does not develop into heat stroke, it is recommended to take the patient to a cool place as soon as possible and give him something to drink. It is worth noting that the liquid should not be too sweet or cold, otherwise abdominal muscle spasms will occur.

You can bathe your child in a cool bath or shower (water temperature - 18-20 degrees). After this you cannot go outside. If the victim’s condition is not improving, it is better to call emergency assistance or transport him to the doctor yourself.

Heatstroke in a child takes a long time to be treated and requires several weeks of rehabilitation. During this period, it is not recommended to go outside, and you must also adhere to bed rest.

Parents of young children should be well aware of all the measures described above. First, you need to cool your body. Secondly, ensure you drink plenty of fluids. Thirdly, call emergency help if life-threatening symptoms appear. In most cases, such treatment has a positive effect.

In addition, you can cool the body using any available means, but do not use too cold water. If heatstroke occurs while on vacation, you can immerse the victim in a body of water, such as a lake or river.

Wiping is performed not only with plain water, but also with a weak vinegar solution. The baby should be given a drink every 20-30 minutes. Instead of water, a solution of Regidron, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, is suitable.

Prevention

Every parent should take care of the health of their child.

The following tips will help you prevent heat stroke:

  • Do not go outside with your child during the hottest hours - from 11 to 16. Avoid too much at this time active games and physical activity;
  • Protect your head from direct sunlight. Not only hats, but also umbrellas are suitable for this;
  • Dress the baby only in clothes made from natural materials, for example, cotton, linen, wool. It is better to give preference to light colors. Also, you should not wrap your baby up too much, because heat stroke can occur not only in the summer, but even in winter;
  • Do not go out into the open sun during the period of its highest activity;
  • Provide plenty of fluids. Fruit drinks, kvass, and tea perfectly quench your thirst;
  • Constantly ventilate the premises, open windows. If the house has a fan or air conditioner, use it periodically;
  • Do not overfeed the baby.

The above preventive measures do not require special effort, time or money, but they can completely eliminate the risk of heat stroke.



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