hypothermia

• newborn is more prone to develop hypothermia because of the large surface area per unit of body weight
• less subcutaneous fat and reduced amount of brown fat
• metabolism of brown fat increases heat production
• signs and symptoms: cool/cold to touch

  • cyanotic hands and feet, and tongue
  • lethargy and hypotonic
  • feeds poorly
  • feeble cry
  • hypoglycemic
• Nursing management:

  • prevent cold stress
  • maintain neutral thermal environment
  • warm baby immediately after deliver
  • delay bath until temp stabalizes
  • hurly temp check
  • encourage feeding
  • keep temp of room warm
• evaporation: loss of heat rom infant by water evaporation(skin)
• conduction: contact with cold objects(touching)
• convection: loss of heat to the surrounding air
• radiation: loss of heat from infant to cooler surfaces