The doctor of the National Children’s Hospital pointed out the notes when taking care of young children in cold weather-Life health

According to experts at the Newborn Center – National Children’s Hospital, newborn babies are most susceptible to hypothermia and are at risk of death when sleeping in a cold room.

Right now, the North is getting cold. In such weather conditions, young children are susceptible to colds if they are not well taken care of. Keeping the child’s body warm when outdoors or when taking them to the hospital is extremely important. There have been many children, especially the newborn age, have hypothermia when they come to the hospital, making the already sick children even worse.

Photo of skin-to-skin warmth (Source: Neonatal Center – National Children’s Hospital).

Here are some notes of BSCKII. Pham Thi Thanh Tam – Deputy Head of Emergency & Poison Control Department, National Hospital of Pediatrics.

For babies

Low ambient temperature will directly affect the health of newborn babies. Because there is no necessary amount of body fat to keep warm, babies are prone to hypothermia with manifestations such as: red or pale skin, cold all over the body, scleroedema in the back and extremities; Rapid shallow breathing in the first stage, after breathing irregularly, breathing stops; Bradycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension; The child has little movement, is lethargic, cries weakly, sucks poorly; May be associated with hypoglycemia.

According to experts at the Newborn Center – National Children’s Hospital, newborn babies are most susceptible to hypothermia and are at risk of death when sleeping in a cold room. However, be aware that too warm temperatures can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

For older ages

When the ambient temperature is low, can older children go outside? The answer is yes. Children over the age of one can safely play outside in the cold. However, parents should note that children should bring warm clothes, hats, gloves, warm shoes and should only be outdoors for about 20-30 minutes at a time. If the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, do not let the child go out.

It is important to pay attention to the early signs of hypothermia in older children such as shaking hands and feet, disorientation, slurred speech, white or pale skin.

Which group of children is most at risk of hypothermia?

Those most at risk of hypothermia are:

– Premature babies, asphyxiation

Children with severe infectious diseases.

– Children with malnutrition and stunting

– Children are cared for in an environment with low temperature, drafts, wet pants, clothes, diapers are not changed often. Children are bathed for a long time, bathing with cold water.

To prevent hypothermia in children, what should parents pay attention to?

Feed on time, full meals, full of nutrients.

Place the child’s bed in a warm, draft-free place and the child needs to be warmly dressed.

Avoid making your baby cold after bathing or during visits.

Change diapers, clothes, wet bedding to keep baby and bed dry. For babies, the Kangaroo method, also known as skin-to-skin warmth, can be used.

Dry the baby after bathing.

Use heat lamps carefully, do not use hot water bottles or fluorescent lamps.

When transporting children to a doctor in cold weather, what should parents and transportation staff pay attention to?

It is recommended to use an airtight, air-conditioned car (25-28°C). Dress the child in suitable warm clothing. Breastfeed your baby often.

If the child has hypothermia (below 36°C) or is at risk of hypothermia (newborns, malnourished children, critically ill children), it is necessary to have a dedicated ambulance transport with an incubator, heat temperature in the cage from 35-36 °C. Continue feeding the child through a nasogastric tube to provide enough energy. In case the child needs to maintain intravenous infusion, the infusion solution should be warmed before use.

On the way of transportation, regularly check the child’s temperature (1 hour/time), change wet clothes, clothes, diapers.