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

1. 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.
2. Duong H, Patel G. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jan 19, 2024. Hypothermia