LAUSR

1. Courtney W. Mangus, MD* 2. Therese L. Canares, MD* 1. *Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD * Abbreviations: AMS: : altered mental status CNS: : central nervous system CTM: : critical thermal maximum HRI: : heat-related illness WBGT: : wet bulb globe temperature 1. It is important for clinicians to understand the increasing incidence of heat-related illnesses and their implications on children. 2. Clinicians should be able to recognize the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 3. Clinicians should learn how to implement rapid cooling in the treatment of heat stroke. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Distinguish between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 2. Recognize risks and behaviors associated with heat-related illness. 3. Effectively diagnose and treat heat stroke. 4. Identify effective prevention strategies for both exertional and nonexertional heat stroke. A 12-year-old obese football player finishes his second 2-hour practice on a hot August day. His temperature is 105°F (40.6°C), and he is agitated and confused. His family calls you, his general pediatrician, seeking guidance. What advice do you give? A bystander discovers a 23-month-old infant in the back seat of a minivan on a warm day. She is flushed, fussy, and has vomited. The baby is brought to your community emergency department for further management. What are your next steps? As the planet gets warmer, the incidence of heat-related illness (HRI) and injury is increasing. (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) Among those suffering HRI, children compose almost half (47.6%) of this population. (1) In the pediatric population, the most common forms of heat-related pathology occur in exercising adolescents and in children left unattended in vehicles or excessively warm environments. Pediatricians must effectively counsel caregivers in recognizing the dangers related to heat exposure and preventing dehydration and HRI. When prevention fails, prompt recognition and treatment of HRI become paramount. Heat-related illness refers to a clinical spectrum of disorders resulting …