What is Neonatal
Hypothermia?
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), neonatal
hypothermia is when the newborn's
axillery temperature drops below
36.5°C (Demissie et al, 2018).
Why is it important to prevent
Hypothermia?
Hypothermia increases neonatal
deaths by 80% for every 1°C decrease
in body temperature. Immediately
after birth, neonates lose heat
through various ways such as
conduction, convection, radiation,
and evaporation. Newborns are
susceptible to cold stress because of
their inability to regulate their own
body temperature (Bayih et al, 2019).
Therefore, it is important to learn
ways to prevent newborn stress so
that you can protect your newborn
baby.  
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References:
Safari, K., Saeed, A. A., Hasan, S. S., Moghaddam-Banaem,
L. (2018). The effect of mother and newborn early skin-
to-skin contact on initiation of breastfeeding, newborn
temperature and duration of third stage of labor. Int
Breastfeed J, 32(13). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13006-
018-0174-9
Demissie, B. W., Abera, B. B., Chichiabellu, T. Y.,
Astawesegn, F. H. (2018). Neonatal hypothermia and
associated factors among neonates admitted to neonatal
intensive care unit of public hospitals in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. BMC Pediatrics, 263(18).
https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1238-0
Bayih, W. A., Assefa, N., Dheresa, M., Minuye, B., Demis, S.
(2019). Neonatal hypothermia and associated factors
within six hours of delivery in eastern part of Ethiopia: a
cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics, (253)19.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1632-2
Christensson, K., Daga, S. R., Da Graca, A.M.P., Johanson,
R., Rolfe, P., Tunell, R., Uxa, F., Walsh, B., Villatoro, M. M.,
(1992) Thermal Control of the Newborn: A practical
Guide. Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood
Programme.
Christiano, D. (June 2021). Identifying and Treating a Low
Body Temperature in Babies.
https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/baby-
temperature-low
Balest, A. L., (April 2021). Hypothermia in Neonates.
https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-
ca/professional/pediatrics/perinatal-
problems/hypothermia-in-
How to Prevent
neonates#:~:text=Hypothermia%20is%20treated%20by
%20rewarming,hemorrhage%20may%20require%20spec
ific%20treatment.
Hypothermia in
Newborns
Yusra Hassan
RPN Student Semester 4
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Benifits of Skin-to-Skin
Contact
Skin-to-skin contact is
defined as “the placement of
a naked infant, occasionally
with a diaper or a cap on, on
• Poor feeding
its mother’s bare skin, and
the exposed side/back of the
infant covered by a blanket
or a towel” (Safari et al, 2018)
Treatments for Hypothermia
While mother and infant are
in skin-to-skin contact, the
heat from the mother
activates the infant’s sensory
nerves which causes the
• Treatment for signs of low blood
infant’s relaxation and
dilatation of skin vessels.
This results in the infant
having an increase in
temperature. (Safari et al,
2018)
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Bath Time Tips to Prevent Warning signs of
Heat Loss Hypothermia
Symptoms of hypothermia in
1. Use luke-warm water. Sit near a infants include...
heat source to undress infant.
• Sluggishness
2. Bath infant quickly yet gently.
• Weak cry
3. Immediately wrap infant in a • Pale, cold skin
dry towel and dry baby • Trouble breathing
thoroughly from head to toe.
4. Quickly dress baby and place a
cap on head.
in Newborns
• Rewarming using an incubator or
5. Ensure infant is close to you radiant warmer
and begin breastfeeding.
sugar, low oxygen, and impaired
breathing.
• Specific treatment of underlying
conditions such as sepsis, drug
withdrawl, or intercranial
hemorrhage.
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