As part of the WHO warm chain, an infant's axillary temperature is recorded as 35 degrees Celsius at 2 hours of life. According to the WHO classification of neonatal hypothermia, how is this reading categorized?

• A Normal core temperature requiring no action
• B Cold stress (mild hypothermia)
• C Severe hypothermia
• D Moderate hypothermia ✓

Explanation

The WHO classification sets normal axillary temperature as 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius, cold stress as 36.0 to 36.4, moderate hypothermia as 32.0 to 35.9, and severe hypothermia as below 32. A reading of 35 degrees therefore falls in the moderate category, warranting rapid rewarming with skin-to-skin contact or a radiant warmer and correction of hypoglycemia, which commonly accompanies hypothermia. Confusing cold stress with moderate hypothermia is the commonest error here.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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