Stages of Systemic Cold Injury (Hypothermia)

Systemic cold injury can be life-threatening if severe and prolonged.

Parameters:

(1) core body temperature in °C

(2) shivering

(3) motor coordination

(4) other signs and symptoms

Parameters	Stage I	Stage II	Stage III
core body temperature	35 to 37°C	32 to 34.9°C	< 32°C
shivering	strong, with piloerection	violent with pallor and distal cyanosis	stops
motor coordination	poor fine motor coordination	poor gross motor coordination	very poor or no gross motor coordination
other signs and symptoms	hands numb, shallow breathing, nausea, fatigue, visual disturbances	confusion, stumbling	paradoxical or bizarre behaviors, stupor or coma, bradycardia, tachy-arrhythmias, reduced respirations, organ failures, cold diuresis

Systemic hypothermia may be made worse by

(1) the use of alcohol or other intoxicants

(2) significant comorbid conditions

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