Paeds Vivas · preventive-and-community-paediatrics
Climate change, heat and child health — branching viva
Structured oral on heat-stroke cool-first care, sports prevention and climate-equity counselling.
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Target exams
RACP DCEMRCPCH Clinical
Prompt
Sports day sideline: adolescent athlete collapsed and confused in humid heat. Separately, a well-child clinic family asks what climate change means for their children’s summer safety.
Opening (2 minutes)
Examiner: "This athlete is confused after collapsing in the heat. What is your working diagnosis and first priority?" [6] [7]
Strong answer: Exertional heat stroke until proven otherwise — heat stress plus CNS dysfunction. Cool immediately, ideally with cold-water immersion, while supporting ABC and arranging hospital care. Sweating does not exclude the diagnosis. [6] [7]
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References5Show ledgerHide ledger
- [3]Ahdoot S Climate Change and Children's Health: Building a Healthy Future for Every Child Pediatrics, 2024.PMID 38374808
- [5]Bergeron MF, Devore C, Rice SG Policy statement—Climatic heat stress and exercising children and adolescents Pediatrics, 2011.PMID 21824876
- [6]Bouchama A Heat stroke N Engl J Med, 2002.PMID 12075060
- [7]Miller KC Roundtable on Preseason Heat Safety in Secondary School Athletics: Prehospital Care of Patients With Exertional Heat Stroke J Athl Train, 2021.PMID 33290540
- [12]Budolfson KC Climate Change and Child Health Equity Pediatr Clin North Am, 2023.PMID 37422317