Rising global temperatures and increasing frequency of historic heat waves are putting more children at risk of heat stress each year. According to recent studies, heat stress caused by extreme temperatures can significantly affect the health and well-being of infants and young children. As climate change continues to drive up temperatures, more countries are facing hotter days more frequently, with greater intensity and for longer periods.
Currently, a third of the world’s children experience 4-5 heat waves annually. This exposure involves enduring temperatures over 35°C for 83.54 or more days per year, enduring heat waves lasting at least 4.7 days, or facing temperatures 2°C or more above the local 15-day average. By 2050, nearly every child in the world, around 2.2 billion children, will be exposed to frequent heat waves.
Heat waves, defined as periods of three days or more with maximum temperatures in the top 10% of the local 15-day average, can cause significant stress to the body when it cannot remove excess heat. This heat stress, intensified by physical exertion, can lead to heat-related illnesses ranging from mild heat rashes in infants to severe conditions like heatstroke and organ failure.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat stress. They sweat less per kilogram compared to adults, have a higher metabolism, and spend more time outdoors playing and engaging in activities, increasing their risk of heat exposure and injury. Moreover, children are less likely to rehydrate themselves, which can be dangerous in hot conditions. Infants and young children are at even greater risk as they cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults, and their developing immune systems make them less capable of handling heat stress symptoms.
Extreme heat poses unique risks at different stages of childhood. For instance, babies and young children under five are most at risk of increased heat-related mortality and morbidity, while adolescents are more likely to suffer exertional heat-related injuries. Heat stress can lead to health issues such as heat strokes, dehydration-induced diarrhea, chronic respiratory conditions, and kidney dysfunction.
Additionally, heat waves exacerbate droughts, leading to crop failures and food insecurity, which severely impacts child nutrition. High temperatures also reduce school attendance and affect children’s ability to concentrate, negatively impacting their academic achievement. Mental health issues, such as increased stress, poor sleep, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are also linked to extreme heat exposure.
To mitigate these risks, parents and caregivers should monitor children’s activities closely, avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and encourage frequent hydration and rest in shaded areas. Creating cool environments for infants, continuing breastfeeding during hot seasons, and ensuring pregnant women stay well-hydrated are also essential measures.
UNICEF and its partners are calling for urgent action from governments to protect children from heat stress. This includes educating frontline health workers to recognize heat stress symptoms, equipping health facilities with the necessary resources to treat heat-related illnesses, and ensuring healthcare systems are connected to meteorological services for advance notice of heat waves. Additionally, providing cool public spaces during heat waves is crucial to safeguard vulnerable populations.
As heat waves become more frequent and intense, these measures are critical to protect the health and well-being of children globally.
Reference: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/heat-waves-and-how-they-impact-children