Hypothermia is when a newborn baby’s body temperature is too low. Normal body temperature for a baby is 36.5 – 37.5° C. Hypothermia is a temperature that is less than 36.5° C.
Hypothermia is categorised by its severity:
An infant with hypothermia often does not shiver. This can make it difficult to diagnose without taking their temperature. Some other symptoms may include:
Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as older children and adults. Pre-term infants have more difficulty than normal term infants. Their physical surroundings also play a part. The two together make babies prone to hypothermia.
Some physical factors which can play a part include:
Some other factors which can contribute include:
There are several risk factors for hypothermia or its complications, such as:
Hypothermia is diagnosed by measuring an infant’s body temperature with an instrument called a thermometer.
There are several potential complications of hypothermia, including:
The treatment for hypothermia is rewarming. There are several instruments in a hospital which can help, including:
All these devices use a temperature monitor on the baby’s skin to make sure that the baby is not too hot and not too cold.
A baby may also be placed into a special bag or cap to help keep them warm.
Hypothermia can be prevented in many cases by doing the following:
Hypothermia in newborn’s is a concern, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms to help ensure the safety of your child.