Successful treatment of profound hypothermia of the newborn

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 190 - 192
• Main Authors: Konopova, P, Janota, J, Termerova, J, Burianova, I, Paulova, M, Zach, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2009; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Body Temperature; Complications; General aspects; Humans; Hypothermia; Hypothermia - complications; Hypothermia - therapy; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Newborn; Re-warming; Resuscitation; Rewarming - methods; Time Factors; Human; Warming; Pediatrics; Newborn; Treatment; Re-warming; Complications; Complication; Hypothermia
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01052.x

We report a case of a profoundly hypothermic newborn with a core temperature of 25°C with a successful recovery and normal neurological outcome at 3 and 6 months. This term male infant had been exposed to a temperature of −3°C for approximately 30 min. Slow re‐warming, using external modalities was used in addition to volume expansion, heparinization, antibiotics and sedation. There is limited information available concerning the safest and most effective method of re‐warming hypothermic newborns. Slow re‐warming has been advocated as it replicates the normal physiological process in a neonate, which minimizes a negative therapy impact. Conclusion: The most significant decision regarding treatment is the identification of the most appropriate method and speed of re‐warming. This report supports recommendations for gradual re‐warming of a severely hypothermic newborn. Physiological cardiovascular mechanisms seemed to be intact during slow re‐warming; this might be applicable to the treatment of profound hypothermia of the newborn.