Sunday Territorian

DOCTOR WARNS OF BABY HEAT DEATHS

- DAN KNOWLES

BABIES and toddlers are being put at risk in prams heating to killer temperatur­es as over-protective parents cover up to shield bubs from the sun.

In a warning to parents, one of Australia’s most sen- ior children’s doctors has revealed prams can soar to temperatur­es which risk long-term damage and death. “Having a baby in the sun in a pram which is covered leads to a rise in temperatur­e around 15C over the environmen­tal temperatur­e,” the paediatric­ian says.

The warning comes a day after the NT News revealed two incidents of children being left in cars at shopping centres during the past week.

BABIES and toddlers are being put at risk in prams heating to killer temperatur­es as over-protective parents cover up to shield bubs from the sun.

In a shock warning to parents, one of Australia’s most senior children’s doctors has revealed prams can soar to temperatur­es well above the outside air, with the risk of organ failure, long-term damage and even death.

“Having a baby in the sun in a pram which is covered leads to a rise in temperatur­e around 15C over the environmen­tal temperatur­e,” warned Dr David Levitt, Queensland Children’s Hospital director of paediatric medicine.

“The combinatio­n of no airflow, heavier clothes and the babies’ poorer temperatur­e regulation lead to potential heat injury which can be lifethreat­ening.”

Kidsafe chief Susan Teerds fears it could take a death before parents take heed of the danger of overheatin­g their babies in modern prams with thick covers.

As with leaving a child in a locked car, Mrs Teerds said, modern prams, particular­ly click-in baby capsule-cumprams, could heat up rapidly.

Thick hoods or cloths used by responsibl­e parents to protect kids from UV rays increase the potential for tragedy, she said.

Parents may think a baby is happy and sleeping but it could be slipping into a life-threatenin­g heat coma.

Lifeguards regularly see prams with children left unattended in the heat but the danger extends to parks or just taking a baby for a walk.

Tests using a thermomete­r in empty prams this week recorded temperatur­es surging by up to 10C – reaching 40C – in less time than a baby would take for a nap.

Heat exhaustion cuts blood flow to the brain and organs and can cause increased heart rate, headaches and nausea.

The stark warnings come a day after the NT News revealed two separate incidents of children being left in cars at shopping centres during the past week.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia