A report of heat stroke in two Nigerian siblings

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Environmental Health
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to physiological differences.
• Vehicular heat stroke is a preventable yet life-threatening condition, especially in hot climates.
• Raising awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars is critical.

Observation:

• Two Nigerian siblings (5 and 3 years old) experienced heat stroke after being trapped in an unlocked vehicle.
• Clinical presentation included hyperthermia, severe dehydration, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.
• One child also exhibited hematuria, indicating potential kidney involvement.

Findings:

• Aggressive cooling measures, including water spraying and intravenous fluid resuscitation, were employed.
• Supportive care involved oxygen therapy and anticonvulsant medications.
• Both children recovered without apparent long-term neurological deficits.

Implications:

• Highlights the critical importance of preventing unsupervised access to vehicles for children.
• Emphasizes the need for rapid diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of pediatric heat stroke.
• Underscores the potential for complete recovery with timely and appropriate medical intervention.