Bringing a life to earth is one of the most joyous moments a couple experiences, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. And, one crucial aspect that you must understand is a baby’s temperature regulation. If the baby’s body temperature goes dangerously low, it can be a serious concern.
To protect your newborn’s health, it is important to recognise early warning signs of hypothermia in newborns, understand its risks, and know how to act quickly.
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia meaning is simple – it occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. This causes the core temperature to drop to unsafe levels. In infants, this can happen rapidly since they have limited ability to regulate their body temperature.
In medical terms, what is hypothermia in infants? When a newborn’s body temperature falls below around 36.5°C, they are considered hypothermic. Babies can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia depending on how low the temperature drops.
Why Newborns are at Risk
Newborns, especially preterm or low birth weight babies are particularly are at risk of losing body heat due to:
- A large surface area relative to body mass
- Very little insulating fat
- Immature temperature control systems
- Evaporative heat loss, especially if wet after birth
These features make hypothermia causes in newborns quite common, especially in cooler environments or during medical emergencies.
Early Hypothermia Symptoms to Watch For
Identifying hypothermia symptoms early in babies can make a huge difference. Here are some of the first signs that you may observe:
- Pale skin tone
- Poor feeding
- Cold skin, especially on hands, feet, or abdomen
- Cold extremities even when indoors
- Shallow, slow, or irregular breathing
- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy
- Weak or less frequent crying
- Risk for low blood sugar
- Poor muscle tone or inactivity
If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to serious complications such as:
- Breathing difficulties
- Metabolic acidosis
- Jaundice
If you notice any of these indicators, get medical help right away. Even subtle changes can escalate quickly in newborns.
Hypothermia Temperature
To understand hypothermia, medical guidelines classify newborn temperature ranges like this:
- Normal: 36.5°C to 37.5°C
- Hypothermia: < 36.5°C
- Mild: 36-36.4°C
- Moderate: 32-35.9°C
- Severe: < 32°C
Temperatures below these ranges may indicate warning and need immediate medical attention.
Hypothermia Treatment in Newborns
If hypothermia is detected in babies, doctors may proceed with these approaches:
- Skin-to-skin contact with the mother
- Wrapping the baby in warm, dry blankets
- Using incubators or radiant warmers
- Ensuring the environment is warm
In severe cases, doctors may use special warming techniques and medical support to stabilise both temperature and vital functions.
Therapeutic Hypothermia
Interestingly, therapeutic hypothermia is a controlled medical procedure used in newborns with certain brain injuries, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Here, a baby’s temperature is carefully lowered for a limited time under strict supervision, which reduces the chances of brain damage and improves long-term outcomes.
Hypothermia Management and Prevention
Prevention of hypothermia in newborns is far easier and safer than treating it after it occurs. Parents and caregivers can follow these practical steps:
- Ensure delivery rooms are warm (Ideally 25°C)
- Dry and wrap the baby immediately after birth
- Delay the first bath until the baby is stable and warm
- Use hats and skin-to-skin contact to retain heat
- Monitor temperature regularly especially in colder weather
Did you know according to a survey conducted in 2018, approximately 1 million lose their life to hypothermia in LMICs.
Summing Up
Hypothermia in newborns can sneak up quickly and may not always look obvious at first. Understanding early hypothermia symptoms, knowing when to act, and implementing good prevention of hypothermia in newborn, strategies can protect your baby during this crucial time.
Vigilance, warmth, and timely care are all important for your baby’s proper care. If you ever have concerns about your baby’s health, it is important that you consult a doctor at the right time.
