SHIZUOKA -- Placing face shields over babies to protect them from the novel coronavirus could increase the risk for heatstroke, a pediatric association has warned.
Face shields for babies are basically the same style as those for adults. Shields in smaller sizes for babies, and those that can be attached to hats, are currently available.
The pediatric association of Shizuoka Prefecture put a warning on its website that such shields are not recommended for children under 1 year old, citing the following reasons:
-- As babies have high respiratory and metabolism rates, the temperature and humidity inside the shield tend to rise, increasing the risk of heatstroke.
-- It is difficult for fresh air to flow inside the shield, so babies tend to re-inhale the exhaled air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide.
-- If the shield moves down to compress the nose, babies cannot breathe.
Association head Tomoko Mita said the warning does not constitute "a complete rejection of the product itself," showing some acceptance of using the shields for a short time, such as when babies are inside trains and buses.
"We want users to understand the risks [of using the shields], before deciding whether it is necessary to use them depending on the situation," Mita said.
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