Rising temperature and dehydration among children

As the mercury continues to rise in Bangladesh, the impact on children is becoming increasingly apparent. The scorching heat and lack of access to clean drinking water have left many children suffering from dehy-dration, a condition that can have severe consequences if left untreated.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, leading to a lack of water and electro-lytes necessary for the body's proper functioning. In extreme cases, dehydration can lead to heat exhaus-tion, heatstroke, seizures, and even death. Children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration because they have a higher surface area to body weight ratio than adults, which makes them more prone to losing fluids through sweat and urination.

Bangladesh is going through a highly unusual weather phenomenon as a heat wave is sweeping the coun-try and the children are suffering terribly from diarrhoea, dehydration, pneumonia and other related dis-eases.

With temperatures soaring above 40°C in some parts of Bangladesh, access to clean drinking water is es-sential to prevent dehydration. Access to safe drinking water is a basic right. Unfortunately, a huge seg-ment of the population in Bangladesh does not have access to safe drinking water, forcing children to rely on contaminated sources.

Experts believe that the water supplied by WASA has rarely been safe to drink; at times it even looks dirty. As matter of fact, many laboratory tests have revealed that the WASA water can often be dangerous to a person’s health especially that of a child. Contaminated water can cause a host of ailments, including diar-rhoea, which can lead to further dehydration.

A recent report by The Business Post reveals that children suffer most with dehydration as mercury rises. Moreover, as the humidity is increasing, the children will sweat more and this may lead to pneumonia for many.

According to icddr,b sources, hospital generally has around 600 patients just before the rainy season and currently they have some 500 patients. More mothers and children, especially those aged five or less, were admitted to hospitals the most in recent days. However, there is no information on severe patients or cri-ses till now.

The impact of dehydration on children's health and well-being is significant. Dehydration can lead to de-creased cognitive function, fatigue, irritability, and even seizures. In extreme cases, dehydration can lead to coma and death.

Doctors suggest that although the children seem to be doing well, the parents should remain alert to the excessive sweating of their children. Children will need to drink water more than usual. If possible, give a glass of water every hour for children aged over 1 year and a sip of milk for the breastfeeding children.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all citizens, including children, have access to clean drinking water. In addition, authorities concerned must work to educate families about the importance of hydration and the dangers of consuming contaminated water.

At the individual level, parents must take steps to prevent dehydration in their children. This includes ensur-ing that children are drinking enough water, and avoiding sugary or caffeinated beverages that can dehy-drate the body. Parents should also encourage their children to rest in cool, shaded areas during the hot-test parts of the day and dress them in lightweight, breathable clothing.

The rising temperatures in Bangladesh are having a significant impact on children's health, with dehydra-tion being a significant concern. It is essential that the government take steps to ensure that all children have access to clean drinking water. Failure to do so will have severe consequences for the health and well-being of Bangladesh's future generations.