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. Paal P, Gordon L, Strapazzon G, et al. Accidental hypothermia - an update. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016 Sep 15;24(1):111.