DOCTOR WARNS OF BABY HEAT DEATHS
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.