Babies can't bear the heat in north Karnataka

Ballari: It’s burning hot in Ballari and other places in Hyderabad-Karnataka  and the heat wave is taking its toll on newborns.  

Hospitals across Ballari, Koppal,and Raichur districts are reporting an influx of babies suffering from acute dehydration in recent weeks. While Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Ballari has admitted over 80 infants suffering from dehydration of late, over 200 newborns have reportedly been admitted in various private hospitals of the city with similar complaints.

“On an average, 50 infants are treated as outpatients every day and over 80  are admitted to the hospital. But so far, none of them have died at VIMS,” said hospital sources.

Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) claims to be treating 50 newborns  daily on an average for  dehydration and associated ailments  with doctors saying the number is far greater this summer than in the previous year. Most of the newborns suffering from dehydration and related ailments are from poor and backward families, who are not able to afford airconditioners, coolers or  even fans to protect their babies from  the heat.

“Most of these people live in asbestos-roofed sheds, which are hotter than other homes and don't have proper ventilation. They bring their babies with complaints of excessive crying, refusing to be breastfeed and fever, which are all caused by  dehydration,” say doctors.

Paediatrician Dr Shankar says newborns should normally urinate six to seven times in 24 hours.

For this to happen, the nursing mother must have sufficient intake of fluids and a nutritious diet herself and must breastfeed the baby once every two hours. “If the newborn and nursing mother are feeling the heat, the baby refuses breast milk, which leads to dehydration, fever, jaundice and even damaged kidneys and brain if not taken to hospital early. There is also the possibility of babies suffering a heatstroke. So they must be constantly hydrated,” he emphasises.