Publication: News9Live
Date: 03.05.2026

With temperatures soaring across India, paediatricians are reporting a sharp rise in heat-related illnesses among children, especially those aged 5–14 years. Doctors warn that children are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat exhaustion because they often fail to recognise thirst early and spend long hours outdoors in extreme heat.

Dr. Amit Gupta, Senior Consultant – Paediatrician & Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, shares that several children are visiting OPDs daily with symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, headache, weakness, fatigue, mild fever, and reduced appetite caused by heat exposure and dehydration.

The discussion also highlights common mistakes parents make during summer, including replacing water with sugary packaged drinks that fail to hydrate effectively. Experts recommend frequent water intake, coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, light cotton clothing, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours.

The article further covers the best summer foods for children, including watermelon, oranges, cucumber, curd, dal, and rice, along with important warning signs parents should never ignore during extreme heat conditions.