By Eloise Gibson of RNZ Caregivers are being warned to be aware of the risks that hot days can pose to children under 5. A study by medical researchers at the University of Auckland and others found that over a 20-year period, more young children needed hospital care when temperatures topped 24.1C.
Hospitalisations rose sharply with every added bit of heat, with dehydration, cardiovascular strain and inflammatory damage putting a strain on the youngest children, including newborn babies. While the primary worries for parents on hot days might be avoiding sunburn, the researchers said children were going to hospital for more serious heat-linked conditions, with potentially lifelong implications..
