Cold stress kills two infants in Thailand

BANGKOK, January 25 (TNA) - Two infants have died from "cold stress" in January in Thailand, which was hit by an unusually cold winter this year, according to the Public Health Ministry. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Narong Sahametapat told journalist on Saturday that the two infants were less than one month old and one died in Sa Kaeo Province and the other in Chon Buri Province, both in the Thai East. Dr. Narong said temperatures in Thailand are colder during this year's winter than last year and it is a dangerous situation for infants who have an immature immune system. Infants are more likely than adults to develop cold stress, a condition which body temperatures rapidly drop, especially when they are exposed to prolonged cold weather. The condition can cause death, he said. Dr. Narong said he has instructed public health officials to visit mothers after childbirths to help them develop an immune system of their babies. According to him, some 2,000 babies are born in Thailand each day. Dr. Narong said mothers should breastfeed their babies for at least six months. Not only the fact that breast milk is nutritious but also holding a baby during breastfeeding can warm up the baby's body. He said mothers should also check symptoms of their baby six-eight times a day. Dr. Porntep Siriwanarangsan, Director-General of Department of Health, said infants will cry and wriggle while their skin becomes red and their fingers turn pale if they suffer from cold. If any of these symptoms occurs, mothers should put more clothes on their babies, he suggested, noting that a baby temperature should not be less than 35 degree Celsius. He said mothers should seek an immediate medical attention from doctors for their babies if their symptom does not improve in a short period. (TNA)