Definition of neonatal: core body temperature < 36°C
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Core Body Temperature
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Level of Hypothermia
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34 to 35.9°C
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mild
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30 to 33.9°C
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moderate
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< 30°C
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severe
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Risk factors for neonatal hypothermia:
(1) prematurity
(2) low birth weight
(3) birth asphyxia (and probably low Apgar scores)
(4) cold environment (influenced by the amount of covering vs exposed skin, and if the child is kept dry)
(5) septicemia
(6) hypoglycemia
(7) hypothyroidism
(8) CNS dysfunction
(9) drug-induced hypothermia
(10) DIC
Clinical signs and symptoms other than low body temperature (may reflect the predisposing process):
(1) lethargy
(2) refusal to feed
(3) coldness of the body to the touch
(4) pedal edema
(5) sclerema (patchy or generalized hardening of the subcutaneous fat)
(6) erythema
(7) jaundice
(8) hemorrhage, bleeding and/or DIC
(9) cyanosis
(10) apnea
Hypothermia may be associated with serious morbidity and mortality, depending on the underlying causes, the severity of the hypothermia, and the responsiveness of the child's caregivers.
