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Heat Stroke and Related Illness, Pediatric

Emily A. Hartford, MD, MPH and George A. (Tony) Woodward, MD, MBA Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Heat stroke occurs during imbalance in heat production, absorption, and dissipation. It can result from excessive body heat generation and storage without appropriate dissipation, hi...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Heat exhaustion:

    • Weakness, lethargy, thirst, malaise, diminished ability to work or play, headache, nausea, vomiting, myalgias, pale skin, dizziness

  • Heat stroke:

    • History of CNS dysfuncti...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Heat stroke: Cooling is the mainstay of treatment; the remainder is supportive. Prehospital providers should remove clothing, start cooling during transport as able. Maintain...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Heat-related illness (e.g., heat rash, edema, cramps, tetany, syncope, exhaustion): rapid recovery with supportive care

  • Heat stroke: poor prognosis if not recognized and aggressiv...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Gaudio F, Grissom C. Cooling methods in heat stroke. J Emerg Med.  2016;50(4):607–616. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Leon L, Bouchama A. Heat stroke. Compr Physiol.  2015...

CODES

ICD9

  • 992.0 Heat stroke and sunstroke

  • 992.1 Heat syncope

  • 705.1 Prickly heat

  • 992.5 Heat exhaustion, unspecified

  • 992.8 Other specified heat effects

  • 992.3 Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic

  • 992.7 Heat edema

  • 992.2 ...

FAQ

  • Q: How can one distinguish between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

  • A: Heat stroke involves temperature >40°C with CNS dysfunction, whereas heat exhaustion refers to fatigue and weakness with in...

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