A study conducted on 500 neonates in Nepal, showed that 85% of them were hypothermic (body temperature < 36 ֯C) 2 hours after delivery.[1]
Previous studies revealed that with every 1 ֯C fall in neonate’s body temperature the risk of sepsis increases by 11% and chances of death increase by a startling 28%. [2]
Incidence of Hypothermia on admission to NICU from the delivery room was found to be :
- ≥ 56% for infants < 750g
- ≥ 25% for infants ≤ [3]
Factors of Neonatal Hypothermia:
Some of the main factors that drastically increase the chances of Neonatal Hypothermia are,
- Preterm babies
- Low birth weight
- Sepsis
- Poor transporting conditions
- Low environment temperatures (AC rooms, wet linen, etc.)
Causes of Neonatal Hypothermia:
Physical Characteristics of preterm infants and Environmental Factors
- Large body surface area to weight ratio
- Incapacity to shiver to generate heat
- Inadequate stores of subcutaneous insulating fat
- Negligible capacity to generate heat (Brown adipose tissue)
- Underdeveloped epidermal barrier
- High respiratory rate, etc
The environmental factors that are responsible for the incidence of Neonatal Hypothermia are:
Symptoms of Neonatal Hypothermia:
- Rectal temperature < 95 ֯ F (35 ֯ C)
- Pale, cold skin (may turn blue in Acrocyanosis)
- Difficulty in breathing
- Weak/excessive cry
- Lethargic
- Poor feeding
Some of the complications of neonatal hypothermia include Respiratory Distress Syndrome, hypoxia, sepsis, cardiac arrest, and, in the worst case, even death.
Neonatal mortality is defined as the death of a neonate within 28 days from birth and we can unquestionably conclude that neonatal hypothermia is a crucial indicator of neonatal wellbeing, and survival rate.
Hence this necessitates the need for prevention and interventional measures to rewarm the neonate at the earliest, without neglecting the telltale signs.
Prevention Strategy:
One such highly effective method of preventing heat loss is using Vygon’s NeoHelp, a sterile double polyethylene layered suit to swaddle the baby, immediately after delivery (before resuscitation), implementable on both, term, and preterm babies. NeoHelp has exclusive features like an adjustable hood, complete transparency, a central Velcro opening, and a pre-shaped foam cushion in the back all designed to provide an occlusive effect. It is simple, easy-to-use, convenient, and eliminates all kinds of heat losses from the baby.
According to UNICEF, such interventions can reduce neonatal morbidity or mortality by a good 18-24%. [6]
Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.
– John F.Kennedy
and with every baby lost we lose an indispensable part of our future.
For more information:
https://vygonindia.com