3-4-2024 (BANGKOK) A three-year-old boy’s attempt to find solace from the sweltering heat in Thailand has ended in tragedy, prompting urgent calls from healthcare professionals to raise awareness about the risks of heat exposure for young children.
The toddler, seeking respite from the oppressive temperatures that had soared to a staggering 44 degrees Celsius, was playing in a basin of water placed in the family’s yard. Unbeknownst to all, this seemingly innocent activity would have catastrophic consequences.
Shortly after returning indoors, the child complained of severe headaches to his mother and vomited four times, before tragically losing consciousness and collapsing. Despite the family’s swift actions to rush him to the hospital and the medical team’s efforts in performing CPR for over 30 minutes, they were unable to revive the young boy.
Medical examinations at Songklanagarind Hospital revealed multiple clots in the child’s brain, with no signs of physical abuse or injuries that could have otherwise explained the sudden cerebral events. The initial medical assessment suggested that the blood clots were likely due to ruptured microvessels, possibly linked to a congenital or genetic condition, exacerbated by the rapid temperature change experienced during his play.
The boy’s mother recounted that before playing, her son had not been gradually acclimated to the cooler water from the significantly higher ambient temperature, which might have contributed to the vascular failure.
