Heatstroke Studies

Below are studies specific to vehicular heatstroke injuries and deaths. There have been several studies published about vehicular heatstroke but there is still much to be learned.

• US caregivers’ attitudes and risk perceptions towards pediatric vehicular heatstroke: A national survey - 9/2023
• Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke: Evaluation of Preventative Technologies; National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence – 4/6/2021
• Pediatric Heatstroke Fatalities Caused by Being Left in Motor Vehicles – 2020
• When a child dies of heatstroke after a parent or caretaker unknowingly leaves the child in a car: How does it happen and is it a crime? – 2019
• Evaluating the impact of solar radiation on pediatric heat balance within enclosed, hot vehicles – 5/23/2018
• New Study Released on Nontraffic Injuries and Fatalities in Young Children – 9/27/2017
• Children forgotten in hot cars: a mental models approach for improving public health messaging – 8/9/2017
• Functional Assessment of Unattended Child Reminder Systems (DOT HS 812 187) July 2015
• Evaluating infant core temperature response in a hot car using a heat balance model; Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology, October, 2014
• Threat of paediatric hyperthermia in an enclosed vehicle: a year-round study; Injury Prevention, 2014
• Threat of paediatric hyperthermia in an enclosed vehicle: a year-round study, Injury Prevention, November, 2013
• Evaluating infant core temperature response in a hot car using a heat balance model, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT HS 811 632), July 2012
• Hyperthermia deaths among children in parked vehicles: an analysis of 231 fatalities in the United States, 1999–2007 (2010)
• Crime and Parenthood: The Uneasy Case for Prosecuting Negligent Parents (2006)
• Quantifying the heat-related hazard for children in motor vehicles ,Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2010) 
• Not in Traffic Surveillance-2007 Highlights, January 2009, DOT HS 811 085
• Heat Stress From Enclosed Vehicles: Moderate Ambient Temperatures Cause Significant Temperature Rise in Enclosed Vehicles, McLaren, Null, Quinn, Pediatrics 2005; 116;109-112
• Heat-Related Mortality – Arizona, 1993-2002, and United States, 1979-2002
• Heat related deaths to young children in parked cars: an analysis of 171 fatalities in the United States, 1995–2002, Injury Prevention 2005; 11:33-37; doi:10.1136/ip.2003.004044
• Heat-Related Deaths — Los Angeles County, California, 1999-2000, and United States, 1979—1998, MMWR Weekly, July 27, 2001 / 50 (29); 623-626
• Environmental Hyperthermic Infant and Early Childhood Death: circumstances, pathologic changes, and manor of death. Henry F. Kraus MD, Julie M. Nadeau B.A., Richard I. Fukumoto M.D., Brian D. Blackbourne, M.D., and Roger W. Byard, M.D.
• Injuries and Deaths Among Children Left Unattended in or Around Motor Vehicles — United States, July 2000–June 2001
• Heat-Related Illnesses and Deaths – Missouri, 1998, and United States, 1979-1996, MMWR, 1999; 48: 469-473, DC Rackers
• Heat-related mortality — United States. MMWR, June 1998; 47:473-6, CDC.
• Heat waves and hot environments. Noji EK, ed. The public health consequences of disaster. New York, New York, Oxford Univerity Press, 1997: 245-69, Kilbourne EM.
• Heat Related Deaths-Dallas, Wichita and Cooke Counties, Texas, and the United States, 1996, MMWR, June 13, 1997/46(23); 528-531