Mantes-la-Jolie maternity hospital overwhelmed by heatwave, infants develop hyperthermia

During the June 2026 heatwave, temperatures inside the maternity ward at Mantes‑la‑Jolie hospital in the Yvelines rose above 35 °C, reaching 38 °C in a newborn's room. The extreme heat caused several newborns to develop hyperthermia, prompting emergency pediatric intervention and the use of improvised cooling measures such as wet sheets and parents’ own air‑conditioners. Staff also reported contaminated water supplies, discarded hot meals, and a refrigerator failure that forced the disposal of food. Three patients experienced fainting episodes, and the facility’s leadership acknowledged a lack of preparedness despite advance weather warnings.

In parallel, pediatric and childcare experts warned that heatwaves increase the risk of dehydration and overheating for infants. Recommended measures include giving babies a warm (34‑36 °C) evening bath rather than an ice‑cold one, using a chilled water bottle wrapped in a cloth to pre‑cool the mattress for a short period, ensuring adequate ventilation without direct airflow on the child's face, maintaining room temperature around 19 °C, and monitoring for signs of dehydration. Parents are advised to keep infants well‑hydrated with breast‑milk or formula and to seek medical help if the child shows excessive sleepiness, rapid breathing, or persistent wet diapers.