Too hot! Preventing, recognizing and managing heat injury in children

Anne Hicks; Lindsay Komar

doi:10.1093/pch/pxac092

Too hot! Preventing, recognizing and managing heat injury in children

Paediatr Child Health. 2022 Oct 8;28(2):72-74. doi: 10.1093/pch/pxac092. eCollection 2023 May.

Authors

Anne Hicks¹, Lindsay Komar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
² Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Abstract

Climate change-related extreme heat events leading to public health emergencies are increasing in Canada and expected to affect more regions, more frequently and for longer time periods. Children, city dwellers and marginalized populations are amongst the most vulnerable to morbidity and mortality related to extreme heat. Paediatricians can provide caregivers and families with advice to minimize risks as well as advocate for safer city planning and harm mitigation strategies.

Keywords: Child health; Climate change; Hot temperature.