Heat Stroke in Children: Symptoms and Prevention During Extreme Weather
The Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI) has issued a serious warning to parents to watch for the risk of heat stroke in children amid extreme heat. The natural phenomenon known as ‘El Nino Godzilla’ is driving an unusually long dry season in 2026, increasing the risk of hyperthermia—an condition in which the body’s temperature-regulating system fails.
Darmawan Budi Setyanto, head of IDAI’s Environmental Health and Climate Change Task Force, stressed that controlling outdoor activity and ensuring adequate hydration are the primary protections for children.
Heat stroke is not merely overheating. Dr. Darmawan explained that the condition occurs when the body’s temperature-regulation mechanism collapses under very high environmental heat. Parents are urged to act promptly if their child shows signs.
Children often do not realise they are dehydrated because thirst can be slow to appear. Here are the prevention steps recommended by IDAI:
Parents should make it routine for children to carry drinking water and sip it regularly. ‘Water is essential to maintain regulation and metabolism so that the body functions well,’ said Dr. Darmawan. He also advised giving warm water rather than cold drinks that are often advertised, with the slogan: ‘Warmth is more enjoyable and healthier.’
When outdoors, ensure children wear a hat or other head protection. This helps reduce direct sun exposure to the head, which can accelerate the rise in body temperature.
Reorganise children’s activities so they are not under direct sun at the hottest times of the day. If outdoor activity cannot be avoided, ensure rest breaks in shaded and cool places.
IDAI emphasises that early prevention is far better than dealing with heat stroke once it has progressed to a severe stage, as its effects can be fatal for the functioning of vital organs in children.
IDAI also warns about the broader health impacts of El Nino Godzilla on children, including heat stroke, dehydration, and diarrhoea due to shortages of clean water. See the preventive measures.
A study has suggested the human body’s tolerance threshold at a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C. Extreme heat from climate change can trigger heat stroke and even death.
Those affected by heat stroke should be moved to a cool, shaded place. Do not expose them to direct sunlight. Cooling should be carried out quickly.
Without adequate fluid intake and when the body is not well, such as during a flu or after staying up late, this combination is often a cause of heat stroke in Indonesia.