Health authorities have urged parents to take special precautions to protect children from dehydration amid the prevailing hot weather conditions.

Consultant Paediatrician Deepal Perera of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo advised that children should be given plenty of water and natural fluids to maintain adequate hydration.

He noted that symptoms such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, and body aches could indicate dehydration, and stressed the importance of increasing fluid intake in such cases.

Perera further warned that the current weather conditions have increased the risk of skin-related issues, including rashes and infections. He recommended that children be bathed at least twice a day to minimise such risks.

Highlighting the dangers associated with physical activity during extreme heat, he cautioned that children participating in school sports, particularly athletics and inter-house events, may face dehydration and even heatstroke if adequate fluids are not consumed.

“Children who spend time in the sun or take part in sports are particularly vulnerable. It is essential that they drink more water and consume natural fluids. If symptoms such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, or body pain appear, they must be given more fluids immediately,” he said.

He added that heatstroke could have serious consequences, including effects on the heart and brain, and may lead to seizures, fainting, and in severe cases, death.

Given these risks, health authorities emphasised the need for increased vigilance by parents, teachers, and caregivers during the ongoing heatwave.