NEONATAL
HYPOTHERMIA/HYPERTHEMIA
BY CHILONGOSI
AIM
• To equip learners with knowledge skills and
appropriate attitude on management of
neonatal hypothermia/hyperthermia
LEARNING OUTCOME
• By the of this lesson learners should be ale to:
1. Define hypothermia and hyperthermia
2. Explain causes of neonatal
hypothermia/hyperthermia
3. Explain the process of heat loss in neonates
LEARNING OUTCOME
4. Explain the clinical features of neonatal
hypothermia/ hyperthermia
5. Explain the management of neonatal
hypothermia/hyperthermia
DEFINITION
• Hypothermia refers to body temperature
below 36.5 degrees Celsius
• Normal body temperature is 36.5 to 37.5
degrees Celsius in the newborn infant.
• It is the imbalance between heat production
and heat loss in which there is more heat loss
CAUSES OF NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA
1. Separation of baby from the mother
2. Cold environment at the place of delivery
and baby care areas
3. Inappropriate care of the baby immediately
after birth e.g. inadequate drying and
wrapping
CAUSES OF NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA
4. Change of temperature from womb to cold
extrauterine environment
5. Inadequate warming procedure before and
during transport of the baby
6. Excessive heat loss of neonates through
evaporation, convection, and radiation from
wet baby to cold the cold linen.
7. Early bath
PROCESS OF HEAT LOSS IN THE NEONATE
• Evaporation: It occurs immediately after birth,
if the baby is not dried adequately the skin
becomes moist. As moisture evaporates from
the skin, it carries with it some heat from the
baby’s body
• Conduction: When the baby is in contact with
cold object, heat is lost to that object e.g. cold
clothing, hands, weighing scale e.t.c.
PROCESS OF HEAT LOSS IN THE NEONATE
• Convection: Takes place when the baby is
placed in the cooler air and air movement is
present there e.g. open window, fan.
• When cold air reaches baby’s skin, it attracts
heat from the baby’ body
• Radiation: This is heat loss from the baby to
another cold object within the environment
but is not in direct contact with the baby.
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Baby is lethargic, not alert, not active
• Baby is limp (hypotonic) of floppy
• The baby’s skin is cold
• Poor sucking/feeding
• A weak cry
• Slow and shallow breathing
• Body temp (axillae <36)
• Slow heart rate (below 100)
MANAGEMENT FOR HYPOTHERMIA
• Explain the condition to the woman for
cooperation
Rewarm baby quickly
• Make sure the room is warm
• Remove cold or wet clothes
• Place the baby skin to skin with the mother
• Cover head
• Cover baby with warm clothes & warm blankets
MANAGEMENT FOR HYPOTHERMIA
MANAGEMENT FOR HYPOTHERMIA
• Encouraged breastfeeding
• Check temp hourly
• Do not bath baby
• Use warm hands when touching the baby
• Postpone bathing (after 24 hours)
• Practice rooming in
HYPERTHERMIA
• It is a situation whereby the axillary
temperature rises above 37.5 degrees celsius
CAUSES
1. The room is hot
2. The baby has so many clothes or covers
3. Dehydration due to improper feeding
4. Infection
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Temperature is above 37.5 degrees Celsius
• Skin feels hot
• Breathing is rapid, greater than 60 breaths per
minute
• Baby appears dehydrated
• Poor feeding
• Irritability, weak cry
MANAGEMENT
• Move the baby away from the source of heat
e. g. direct sunlight
• Place the baby in a normal temperature
environment
• Undress the baby
• Give sponge bath using lukewarm water
• Give frequent breast feeds or give expressed
milk by cup if the baby does not suck
