Surge in heat-related ED visits among children part of a ‘growing public health concern’

Key takeaways:

• Results show link between higher temperatures and increased heat-related ED volume .
• Rhabdomyolysis diagnoses more often resulted in hospitalization.

The number of children who visited the ED for heat-related illnesses significantly rose from 2012 to 2023, according to research presented at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition.

“As pediatricians, we see firsthand how excessive heat affects children’s health,” Taylor Merritt, MD, from the Florida State University College of Medicine, said in a press release. “The significant rise in heat-related illnesses over the past decade underscores a growing public health concern that warrants further attention and action.”

Occurrences of adverse heat-related health outcomes have grown significantly in the past couple decades, with one recent analysis showing that heat-related mortality doubled between 1999 to 2023.

The study by Merritt and colleagues retrospectively examined the prevalence of ED visits with heat-related diagnoses during May through September at two large children’s hospitals between 2012 and 2023.

They also looked at differences in patient characteristics and outcomes between “heat-specific” diagnoses, like heat stroke or heat exhaustion, and rhabdomyolysis.

The analysis revealed 542 heat-related ED visits during the study period.

Merritt and colleagues found that aggregate heat-related encounters increased by 170% from 2012 (4.3 per 10,000 ED visits) to 2023 (11.6 per 10,000 ED visits).

They also noted an association between summer months with higher peak temperatures and increased heat-related ED volume (P < .001).

Among heat-related encounters, 77% had a heat-specific diagnosis while 24% had a rhabdomyolysis diagnosis.

Heat-specific conditions occurred more frequently among younger individuals, Hispanics, those with government-based insurance and those who live in areas with a lower Child Opportunity Index scores vs. those with rhabdomyolysis encounters.

Most heat-related encounters resulted in an ED discharge (96%), whereas 63% of rhabdomyolysis encounters resulted in hospital admission.

“As extreme summer temperatures become more frequent due to a changing climate, we’re seeing a rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly in vulnerable groups like children,” Merritt said.

References:

• Children’s emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses increased 170% over past decade. Available at:https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2024/childrens-emergency-department-visits-for-heat-related-illnesses-increased-170-over-past-decade/ . Accessed Sept. 27, 2024. Published Sept. 27, 2024.
• Merritt T. Trends and outcomes of heat-related illnesses at a tertiary children’s hospital system in the southern United States, 2012-2023. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition. Sept. 20-Oct. 1, 2024; Washington, D.C.