Over the past few days, the mercury has been soaring in the city with temperatures reported above marginally normal. On Monday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 40.4 degrees celsius and a minimum of 25.4 degrees celsius, both were one degree above normal.

City-based paediatric nephrologist Pankaj Bhansali said, "Every year, our hospital reports around 15 newborn patients suffering from renal problems in summer. Dehydration plays a major role in causing acute renal failure in neonates."

Neonatologist L S Deshmukh at the Government medical College and Hospital (GMCH) also said that complications of dehydration include renal problems, jaundice, seizures and brain damage. "The Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is reporting cases of jaundice due to dehydration. One in four newborns suffer from jaundice," he said.

Bhansali said as many as eight neonates suffering from renal problems accompanied with fever, poor sucking and decreased urine output were admitted between April and May 2015. "Renal failure during summer is generally due to dehydration and if treated on time, the children can recover very well. But, if treatment is delayed, it effects brain and kidney," he said.

"Such cases occur when the baby's feed is inadequate leading to water dehydration. In some cases, post delivery mothers either have decreased milk production or have nipple-related abnormalities that create feeding difficulty and result in inadequate fluid and caloric intake in their infants. Especially, in summer if the baby is poorly fed and is dehydrated the child's activities too reduce further," warned Bhansali.

He said, "To address such cases, timely feeding in summer every 2-3 hours is necessary. First-time mothers should not be discharged from hospital until proper breastfeeding technique is observed. Mothers with identifiable problems should be referred promptly to lactation management specialists and close follow-up should be maintained following discharge."

He also advised that the urine output of the neonates should be monitored closely during summer. "The baby should pass urine at least 6-8 times a day and the lactating mothers should drink adequate milk and water," he said.

While describing other summer ailments, he said urine infection and heatstroke are the other worrisome health problems reported among children. "Repeated urine infection is caused due to less water intake and more water loss from the body. Parents should make sure that children urinate often instead of controlling it," added Bhansali.

Deshmukh said, "Dehydration fever is another the common ailment observed when the temperature rises. Jaundice cases too go up due to dehydration as bilirubin, which needs adequate water to be cleared from the body. If the baby gets less water, it can lead to jaundice."

"Preventive steps such as adequate feeding, maintaining room temperature between 26-28 degrees celsius is required to avoid complications. If the child is not treated on time, it can also prove fatal," cautioned Deshmukh.

"Cases of heatstroke are usually common when the mercury reaches 40 degrees celsius," said former Indian Paediatric Association (IAP), Aurangabad chapter president Prashant Jadhav.

He advised that children should drink enough fluid before indulging in sports activity and prevent playing in the sun. "There should be 30% more intake of water during the summer season. Juices should preferably be homemade," he added.

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