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
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,