Prevention Is Key
Dr. Byron noted that about half of AAP chapters now have climate committees, many of which have created educational materials on heat and wildfire smoke and on talking with athletes about risk of heat-related illnesses.
“A lot of the state high school sports associations are actually now adopting guidelines on when it’s safe to practice and when it’s safe to play for heat and for smoke, so that’s definitely something that we can talk to parents about and kids about,” Dr. Byron said. “Otherwise, you still have a lot of coaches and a lot of kids out there that think you’re just supposed to be tough and barrel through it.”
Rhabdomyolysis and heat stroke are both potentially deadly illnesses, so the biggest focus needs to be on prevention, Dr. Byron said. “Not just working with individuals in your office, but working within your school or within your state high school sports association is totally within the lane of a pediatrician to get involved.”
The research had no external funding. Dr. Merritt and Dr. Byron had no disclosures.