Press Releases

Winter Health Tips from Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Newark, NJ -- Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offer some valuable tips on how to keep children safe and warm. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, the body loses heat faster than it can produce it in cold weather. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, and symptoms of the condition include shivering, sleepiness, confusion and clumsiness. A body temperature below 95° F is a medical emergency.

“Because hypothermia happens gradually and affects thinking, a child may not realize he or she needs help,” says Timothy S. Yeh, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, Chairman of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “A fall in temperature of only 1°C can slow reaction times and impair judgment. Difficulty in performing tasks such as fastening up clothing or putting on gloves may result in the victim getting irritated and ending up not bothering, which will make him or her even colder.”

What to Wear

• Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Clothing should consist of long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
• The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
• Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred. 

Hypothermia

• Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to cold. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing.
• As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. His speech may become slurred and his body temperature will decline.
• If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets.

Frostbite

• Frostbite happens when the skin becomes frozen. This condition tends to happen on extremities, fingers, toes, ears and nose. They may become pale, gray and blistered. The child may complain that her skin burns or has become numb.
• If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.
• Do not rub the frozen areas.
• After a few minutes, dry and cover him with clothing or blankets. Give him something warm to drink.
• If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.

About Children's Hospital

Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent years as well as preventive programs that promote wellness. The facility provides an atmosphere of caring and warmth that complements the extraordinary medical care that is delivered by medical and surgical specialists dedicated exclusively to children's health. The hospital's comprehensive inpatient and outpatient pediatric services include a licensed cardiac surgery program, state-designated regional perinatal center, the state’s largest pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric emergency department, Neonatal Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Apnea Center, Valerie Fund Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, neonatal ICU with New Jersey's only ECMO unit, HIV/AIDS treatment for children as well as a sexual and child abuse program.            

For a referral to a pediatrician or pediatric specialist,
please call 1-888-SBHS-123.

DATE: December 12, 2007

CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926

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