Hypothermia
Hypothermia is low body temperature.
Hypothermia is classified as either:
- mild hypothermia - defined as a core temperature of between 35 and 32 degrees C;
- severe hypothermia - defined as a core temperature below 32 degrees C
Monitoring of hypothermic patients requires a special low-reading thermometer.
In the young, hypothermia is likely to be the result of a single, profound insult, for example immersion in cold water.
In the aged, hypothermia is more likely to have a multifactorial aetiology, including:
- age-related impairment of homeostasis, shivering and perception of temperature
- economic, social and cultural factors
- disease processes
- drugs eg administration of diazepam, nitrazepam, reserpine
Reference
- Dow J, Giesbrecht GG, Danzl DF, et al. Wilderness Medical Society clinical practice guidelines for the out-of-hospital evaluation and treatment of accidental hypothermia: 2019 update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Dec;30(4 Suppl):S47-69.
- Duong H, Patel G. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jan 19, 2024. Hypothermia
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