Turn Down the Heat: Consequences of Hyperthermia
Elevated body temperature increases this metabolic demand in newborns.
What is increased oxygen consumption?
Cold stress increases oxygen consumption leading to this respiratory complication.
What is respiratory distress?
Drying the newborn immediately after delivery helps prevent this type of heat loss.
What is evaporation?
Definition: environmental temperature where oxygen consumption and metabolic rate are minimized.
What is neutral thermal environment (NTE)?
Hyperthermia can lead to this fluid imbalance due to increased insensible water loss.
What is dehydration?
This early clinical sign may indicate a newborn is becoming cold stressed.
What is tachypnea?
Which metabolic complication can result from increased glucose utilization during cold stress?
What is hypoglycemia?
These are recommended for preterm infants less than 32 weeks' gestation or 2,000 grams upon delivery to reduce heat loss.
What are polyethylene wraps or a raincoat?
The two main factors that determine an infant’s neutral thermal environment.
What are gestational age and weight?
This cardiovascular sign may appear as the body attempts to compensate for increased metabolic demand during hyperthermia.
What is tachycardia?
Premature infants lose heat rapidly because of a large ratio of this to body mass.
What is body surface area?
Peripheral vasoconstriction during cold stress can worsen this acid-base condition.
What is metabolic acidosis?
Recommended delivery room temperature for very preterm infants.
What is 23.8°C-26.1°C (75°F-79°F)?
Premature infants have increased heat loss partly due to this skin characteristic.
What is thin, immature skin with increased transepidermal water loss?
This respiratory change may occur as the infant attempts to dissipate heat and meet metabolic needs.
What is tachypnea?
This physiologic response occurs when infants attempt to conserve heat by reducing blood flow to the skin.
What is peripheral vasoconstriction?
Cold stress increases oxygen demand and may worsen this pulmonary condition in preterm infants.
What is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?
Skin temperature goal used in servo-controlled incubators for most preterm infants.
What is 36.5–37.0°C?
On an incubator or radiant warmer what control setting (mode) automatically adjusts heat based on the infant’s skin probe temperature.
What is a servo-controlled (mode) incubator?
Excessive heat can increase metabolic rate leading to increased glucose utilization and this metabolic problem.
What is hypoglycemia?
This metabolic process occurs when oxygen levels fall during cold stress and leads to acidosis.
What is anaerobic metabolism?
FIND SOMETHING NEW This dangerous cascade is often referred to as the cold stress cycle.
What is cold stress → hypoxia → anaerobic metabolism → metabolic acidosis?
This practice improves thermoregulation, glucose stability, and bonding.
What is skin-to-skin (kangaroo care)?
The normal Neonatal Temperature range.
36.5°C-37.5°C