Clinical features
The clinical feature of hypothermia include:
- grey complexion, with pallor and cyanosis
- skin is cold to touch, both where exposed and where usually warm, for example the abdomen and axilla
- puffy face and hoarse voice
- confusion, drowsiness and stupor, with poor judgement
- increased muscle tone, with rigidity at 32 degrees C
- shivering, until below 30 degrees C
- weakness
- hypokinesia
- ataxia, occasionally tremor
- tachycardia, followed by bradycardia at lower temperatures
- characteristic changes on the ECG e.g. J-waves, prolonged QT and T wave inversion may be found
- hypertension, with hypotension at lower temperatures
- hyperventilation, followed by shallow respiration, with hypoventilation causing hypoxia at lower temperatures
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.
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