A low birth weight baby delivered at home is found on admission to have an axillary temperature of 31 degrees Celsius. According to the WHO classification of neonatal hypothermia, what category does this represent, and what rewarming method is preferred?
- A Severe hypothermia, rapid active rewarming in an incubator or radiant warmer until core temperature reaches 34 degrees before slower rewarming ✓
- B Moderate hypothermia, rewarm under a radiant warmer set to skin temperature 36.5 degrees
- C Cold stress, rewarm with clothing and skin to skin contact alone
- D Normal temperature variation, no intervention needed
Correct answer: A. Severe hypothermia, rapid active rewarming in an incubator or radiant warmer until core temperature reaches 34 degrees before slower rewarming
Explanation
WHO grades axillary hypothermia as cold stress at 36.0 to 36.4 degrees Celsius, moderate hypothermia at 32 to 35.9 degrees, and severe hypothermia below 32 degrees. C reading of 31 degrees therefore denotes severe hypothermia, which demands urgent active rewarming in an incubator or radiant warmer with continuous monitoring, since rapid rewarming carries risks of apnoea and arrhythmia. Skin to skin contact alone is adequate only for cold stress.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.