Children Sleeping with the Air Conditioning in Hot Weather May Dehydrate More Easily, Says IDAI

Extremely hot weather during El Niño has led many families to run air conditioning longer, including when children sleep through the night. However, the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) warns that this condition can also make children more prone to dehydration if fluid intake is not adequately maintained. Darmawan Budi Setyanto, Sp.A, Subsp.Respi(K), head of the IDAI Task Force on Environmental Health and Climate Change, said that hot temperatures during El Niño cause children’s bodies to lose fluids more quickly, even in air-conditioned rooms. ‘Children are more vulnerable to dehydration because their body’s fluid regulation mechanisms are not as well developed as in adults,’ he said during IDAI’s webinar on ‘The Impact of El Niño on Children’s Health’, which Kompas.com joined online on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. He noted that using air conditioning is not forbidden. However, parents need to ensure their children’s fluid needs are met during hot weather. In fact, children still lose fluid while they sleep, especially when the surrounding environment is hot and they do not drink enough water during the day. ‘Sometimes children look fine, but their fluid levels have already diminished,’ he said. He warned that this condition should be watched because children often struggle to recognise thirst properly. Consequently, early signs of dehydration can be missed by parents. He added that a child who starts to be dehydrated usually looks more lethargic, has dry lips, becomes drowsier, or urinates less than usual. Additionally, children may appear more irritable or easily fatigued after waking up. ‘If a child already looks very lethargic or has trouble drinking, do not delay having them examined,’ said Dr Piprim.