Ballari: The heat wave sweeping Hyderabad-Karnataka is taking its toll on newborns. Two babies have died of kidney failure caused by dehydration at the teaching hospital of the Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). Doctors claim the two were brought in too late for treatment and could not be revived. RIMS, which claims to be treating 50 newborns daily on an average for dehydration and associated ailments , says the number is far greater this summer than the last.
In fact, hospitals across Ballari, Koppal,and Raichur districts are reporting a similar influx of babies being admitted for acute dehydration in recent weeks. While the 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 too 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.
Most 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 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 a 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 in extreme cases. So they must be constantly hydrated,” he emphasises.
