What is muggy syndrome?

Muggy syndrome is a group of symptoms caused by excessive warmth or overly tight covering, primarily manifested as high fever, profuse sweating, dehydration, hypoxia, convulsions, coma, and respiratory or circulatory failure.

Which department should be visited for muggy syndrome?

English name: muggy syndrome

Aliases: infant suffocation syndrome, infant oxygen deprivation syndrome due to covering, oxygen deprivation syndrome due to covering, suffocation syndrome, covering syndrome.

Departments to visit: Pediatric Emergency, Pediatrics, Neonatology

What causes muggy syndrome?

The root cause is excessive warmth or overly tight covering.

Since the thermoregulatory center in newborns and infants is not yet fully developed, their body temperature is influenced by the ambient temperature. When the environment is too warm, they may develop fever, profuse sweating, and subsequent fluid-electrolyte imbalances and circulatory changes. Increased metabolic demands raise oxygen requirements, leading to secondary relative hypoxia and ischemic damage to organs.

Who is most susceptible to muggy syndrome?

Newborns and infants.

What are the symptoms of muggy syndrome?

There is usually a clear history of excessive covering, with cases peaking from November to April. Symptoms include varying degrees of fever (or even hypothermia in severe cases), profuse sweating, bluish or pale complexion, and rapid or irregular breathing.

Severe cases may involve frequent apnea, increased heart rate (or bradycardia in extreme cases), poor responsiveness or unconsciousness, frequent convulsions, restlessness, and varying degrees of dehydration (or even shock and circulatory failure).

Lab tests may reveal electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, and multi-organ dysfunction in severe cases.

How is muggy syndrome diagnosed?

There are no specific tests for this condition. To aid diagnosis and assess severity, the following tests may be performed based on the situation: blood/urine/stool tests, electrolyte and glucose levels, coagulation tests, ECG, C-reactive protein or procalcitonin, chest X-ray, head CT or MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, etc.

Diagnosis relies mainly on a history of excessive covering or overheating, combined with dehydration and neurological symptoms, after ruling out other possible conditions.

How is muggy syndrome treated?

For mild cases with brief overheating, removing excess covers, proper hydration, and close monitoring are sufficient, usually with a good prognosis.

Severe cases require comprehensive supportive care, including temperature regulation, fluid resuscitation, correction of metabolic imbalances, oxygen therapy, respiratory support, and organ protection.

What complications can muggy syndrome cause?

Mild cases typically recover fully with prompt treatment. Severe cases may lead to death from circulatory failure, or survivors may suffer neurological sequelae due to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury or intracranial hemorrhage.

How can muggy syndrome be prevented?

Proper covering and room temperature are key.

• Use breathable cotton blankets, avoid tight wrapping, and ensure the head is uncovered to prevent suffocation. Adjust clothing as needed.
• Avoid electric blankets in winter due to overheating and fire risks.
• Maintain a room temperature of 20–26°C. Children generally prefer cooler temperatures than adults. Check the baby's neck and back—warm but not sweaty is ideal.
• Watch for signs like flushed face, fever, or sweating. Adjust clothing or room temperature accordingly.
• Avoid co-sleeping under the same blanket or letting the baby sleep while nursing. Separate bedding reduces sudden infant death risk. Seek medical help immediately if overheating occurs.