The Southeast is bracing for heat indices in the triple digits over the next few days. In very hot weather, high humidity, and other conditions, body heat can build to dangerous levels. Conditions like this have led Children’s of Alabama pediatricians to advise parents to pay close attention to their children when it comes to heat-related illnesses. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Children are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke than adults,” said Dr. Amy McCollum, a pediatrician at Midtown Pediatrics at Children’s of Alabama. “Children have a body mass to surface area ratio that is smaller. They can’t sweat easily, and they can’t maintain their body temperature as well as adults.”
The interview on the video below with Dr. Amy McCollum offers advice on what parents need to look out for when it comes to a heat stroke or heat exhaustion and recommendations on how parents can keep their children safe and healthy.
