Fluid Consumption is Important for Heart Health in Children in Summer

Pediatric Cardiology Specialist Prof.Dr.Ayhan Çevik gave important information about the subject. Physical and external factors have negative effects on body temperature and against the body's heat regulation mechanisms, especially in summer and winter months. A very important detail here is that these effects may produce different results in adults and children. In addition, these effects cause different results during rest and physical exertion. The most important difference between adults and children is that the body surface area/body mass ratio in children is quite high compared to adults. This situation results in children being more sensitive to hot and cold weather stress than adults. In addition, the amount of circulating blood is lower in children compared to mass compared to adults. All these factors result in that children's body temperature regulation mechanisms, which occur against high air temperatures during resting and exercise, are weaker than adults. The most important mechanism for maintaining body temperature in children in extreme temperatures is the sweat glands and heat loss mechanism. However, the functional capacity and number of sweat glands are lower than adults.

Especially in children and young adults, it is necessary to replace the lost fluid in order for body temperature regulation to work in extreme heat. It has been determined that exposure to extreme temperatures, especially during exercise, when adequate fluid and electrolyte solutions are not taken in the pediatric age group, cause a load on the cardiovascular system and adversely affect cardiovascular health.

Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik said, “When the temperature rises, many mechanisms are activated in children and adults, trying to keep the body temperature within normal limits. These mechanisms can be counted as metabolic rate changes, changes in the heart and circulatory system, hormonal changes and activity changes in sweat glands. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures to support the functioning of these mechanisms in all individuals, whether they have a previous heart disease or not. At high temperatures, there is a loss of fluid and electrolytes through sweating in the body. When the lost fluid and electrolyte is not taken back into the body, the sweating mechanism stops and the body temperature starts to rise in this case. The biggest regulation mechanism against high temperature does not work when there is body fluid loss. For this reason, the body's fluid needs should be provided with electrolyte fluid consumption in summer months. "said.