HIPOTHERMIA

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

HIPOTHERMIA
SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN
NEONATES AT BIRTH AND EVEN
AT 24 HOURS OF AGE AND
BEYOND
MORTALITY RATE TWICE IN
HYPOTHERMIC BABIES
contributes to significant morbidity & mortality
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Why are newborns prone to

develop hypothermia
LARGER SURFACE AREA PER UNIT BODY
WEIGHT
DECREASED THERMAL INSULATION DUE
TO LACK OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT
REDUCED AMOUNT OF BROWN FAT (LBW
INFANT)
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Non - shivering thermogenesis

HEAT IS PRODUCED BY INCREASING
METABOLISM, ESPECIALLY IN BROWN
ADIPOSE TISSUE
BLOOD IS WARMED AS IT PASSES
THROUGH THE BROWN FAT, AND IT IN
TURN WARMS THE BODY
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

FOUR WAYS A NEWBORN MAY LOSE HEAT TO

THE ENVIRONMENT
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Warm chain
WARM DELIVERY ROOM
(>25C)
WARM RESCUSITATION
IMMEDIATE DRYING

BATHING POSTPONED
APPROPIATE CLOTHING
MOTHER & BABY
TOGETHER

SKIN-TO SKIN CONTACT

WARM TRANSPORTATION

BREASTFEEDING

PROFESSIONAL ALERT

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

NEUTRAL THERMAL
ENVIRONMENT
RANGE OF ENVIRONMENT
TEMPERATURE IN WHICH AN INFANT
CAN MAINTAIN NORMAL BODY
TEMPERATURE WITH THE LEAST
AMOUNT OF BASAL METABOLIC RATE
AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Axillary temperature in the

newborn infant (C)

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Temperature recording
AXILLARY TEMPERATURE RECORDING
FOR 3 MINUTES IS RECOMMENDED FOR
ROUTINE MONITORING
DONT RECORD RECTAL TEMPERATURE
IN ALL BABIES AS A STANDARD
PROTOCOL
RECORD RECTAL TEMPERATURE IN A
SICK HYPOTHERMIC NEONATE
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Normothermic baby*
WARM TRUNK
WARM AND PINK
SOLES

* Human touch

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Prevention of hypothermia at birth

DELIVERY IN WARM ROOM
DONT BATHE IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH
DRY BABY IMMEDIATELY WITH WARM
CLEAN TOWEL
WRAP BABY IN PRE-WARMED CLOTH,
COVER HEAD
KEEP NEXT TO MOTHER

KMC = Kangaroo Mother Care

Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

KANGAROO CARE
ASSIST IN MAINTAINING
TEMPERATURE
FACILITATES BREASTFEEDING
INCREASING DURATION OF
BREASTFEEDING
IMPROVED MOTHER - BABY
BONDING
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

The Kangaroo method

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Bathing the baby

WARM ROOM AND WARM
WATER
BATHE QUICKLY AND GENTLY
DRY QUICKLY AND
THOROUGHLY
WRAP IN A WARM, DRY TOWEL
DRESS AND WRAP INFANT
USE A CAP
POSTPONED
6 -TO
12MOTHER
hours after birth
KEEP CLOSE
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Bathing the infant-if his temperature is

normal not before 2 - 6 hours after birth

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Cot nursing in hospital

COVER ADEQUATELY
KEEP IN THERMONEUTRAL
ENVIRONMENT
MONITOR TEMPERATURE 3 HOURLY
DURING INITIAL POSTNATAL DAYS

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Prevention of hypothermia
(during transport)
LET TEMPERATURE STABILISE ALWAYS
BEFORE TRANSPORT
DOCUMENT TEMPERATURE AND TAKE
REMEDIAL MEASURES
CARRY CLOSE TO CHEST
COVER ADEQUATELY, AVOID UNDRESSING
USE THERMOCOL BOX WITH PREWARM
LINEN OR PLASTIC SHEET OR WATER
FILLED MATTRES WITH THERMOSTAT
Teaching Aids : NNF
NH-1

Sign and symptoms of

hypothermia
PERIPHERAL VASOCONSTRICTION
- ACROCYANOSIS, COLD
EXTREMITIES
- DECREASED PERFUSION

CNS DEPRESSION
- LETHARGY, BRADYCARDIA,
APNEA,
POOR FEEDING

INCREASED METABOLISM
Teaching Aids : NNF
- HYPOGLYCEMIA, HYPOXIA,
NH-1

Sign and symptoms of hypothermia (cont.)

INCREASED PULMONARY ARTERY

PRESSURE
- DISTRESS, TACHYPNEA

CHRONIC SIGNS
- WEIGHT LOSS, POOR WEIGH GAIN

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1

Teaching Aids : NNF

NH-1