Hypothermia

Subject: Child Health Nursing

Overview

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. When the axillary temperature is below 36.5°c ( especially in a newborn ) this condition is known as hypothermia.The major cause of hypothermia is wearing clothes that aren't warm enough for weather condition, accidental fall in the water, and staying out in the cold for a long period of time. And the sign and symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, dizziness, faster breathing, trouble speaking and progressive loss of consciousness.Management of hypothermia includes covering the baby in two or three layers and covering the head as well, encourage to have warm fluid to maintain temperature and to maintain hydration, and making sure that room temperature is warm. Check for temperature frequently and if the body temperature is still below normal transfer the baby to the hospital as soon as possible.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. When the axillary temperature is below 36.5°c ( especially in a newborn ) this condition is known as hypothermia.

Causes of Hypothermia

  • Wearing clothes that aren't warm enough for weather condition.
  • Staying out in the cold for a long period of time.
  • Unable to get out of wet clothes.
  • Accidental fall in the water.

Sign and symptoms

  • Shivering
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Faster breathing
  • Trouble speaking
  • Progressive loss of consciousness

In newborn

  • Poor sucking or feeding
  • Slow and shallow breathing
  • Limp or floppy tone
  • Weak cry.

Management of hypothermia

  • Assess the condition of the baby.
  • Remove wet and cold clothing if present.
  • Rewarm the baby quickly. Follow these steps;
    •  Make sure that the room temperature is warm.
    • Cover the baby in two or three layers. And cover the head as well.
    • Check the temperature of the baby. encourage to have warm fluid to maintain temperature and to maintain hydration.

First aid

  • Assess the condition of the baby and be gentle toward them.
  • Move the baby out of the cold surface.
  • Remove wet clothing and cover the baby with layers of cloth or a blanket.
  • Monitoring breathing is very important. Provide warm beverages.
  • Use warm and dry compression.
  • Check for temperature frequently and if the body temperature is still below normal transfer the baby to the hospital as soon as possible.

 

 
Things to remember
  • Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
  • When the axillary temperature is below 36.5°c ( especially in a newborn ) this condition is known as hypothermia. 
  • The major cause of hypothermia is wearing clothes that aren't warm enough for weather condition, accidental fall in the water, and staying out in the cold for a long period of time.
  • The sign and symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, dizziness, faster breathing, trouble speaking and progressive loss of consciousness.
  • Management of hypothermia includes covering the baby in two or three layers and covering the head as well, encourage to have warm fluid to maintain temperature and to maintain hydration and make sure that room temperature is warm.
  • Check for temperature frequently and if the body temperature is still below normal transfer the baby to the hospital as soon as possible.


     
Questions and Answers

A dangerously low body temperature results from your body losing heat more quickly than it can produce it, which is a medical emergency known as hypothermia. Hypothermia is the medical term for when the axillary temperature is below 36.5°c, especially in newborns.

 

Causes

  • Dressing in inappropriately warm attire for the season.
  • Spending a lot of time outside in the cold.
  • Unable to remove soaked clothing.
  • Unintentionally falling into the water

Sign and symptoms

  • Shivering,
  • Lightheadedness,
  • Nausea,
  • Rapid breathing,
  • Difficulty speaking

Management of hypothermia

  • Evaluate the infant's health.
  • if any, take off any chilly and damp clothing.
  • Quickly warm the infant up. Follow these instructions while making sure the room is warm.
  • Add two or three layers to the infant. Likewise, cover the head.
  • Check the infant's temperature.
  • Encourage drinking warm liquids to stay hydrated and to regulate body temperature.

First aid

  • Evaluate the infant's health and treat them with kindness.
  • Remove the infant from a chilly surface.
  • Take off the baby's damp clothes and wrap it in several layers of clothing or a blanket.
  • It's crucial to pay attention to your breathing.
  • Offer a hot beverage.
  • Use dry, warm compression.
  • Regularly check the baby's temperature, and if it remains below normal, take him or her to the hospital as soon as you can.

 

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