1.gif (1892 bytes)

Brief Report

Indian Pediatrics 1998; 35:652-656 

Hypothermia in Newborns at Shimla


Shayam L. Kaushik
Neehim Grover
V.R. Parmar
Rajni Kaushik
Anmol K. Gupta
 

From the Department of Pediatrics, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla 171 001, India.

Reprint requests: Dr. (Mrs.) Neelam Grover, IV!2, Richmond Estate, Shimla 171 001, India.

Manuscript received: February 25, 1997; Initial review completed: April 7, 1997;
Revision accepted: February 26, 1998.

 

Neonatal hypothermia has been shown to be prevalent even in the tropical climates of developing countries and is a potentially greater hazard in the colder mountaineous region particularly in winters(1,3). This fact is borne out by the studies relating higher incidence of neonatal hypothermia to nocturnal winter temperatures(4,5). Neonates; i particularly low birth weight (LBW), I preterm and small for date (SFD) babies, are most susceptible and sensitive to hypothermia due to immaturity of their thermo- ! regulatory mechanism(6,7). A high altitude F with cold weather prevailing all around the year leads not only to increased incidence but also profound and prolonged hypothermia in newborns in a shorter period of exposure inspite of its awareness and traditional practices prevailing among masses in this region to prevent it(8). The current communication presents our experience with neonatal hypothermia.

Subjects and Methods

The present study was conducted in the Neonatology Unit of the Department of Pediatrics and Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH), Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. The study was carried out from July 1994 to June 1995 for one year to include all seasons. All consecutive live births at KNH in this duration were included in the study. Outborn babies admitted with hypothermia were not included in the study. Hypothermia was defined as skin (axillary) temperature of less than 35°C(9).

Axillary temperature of all babies born at KNH was recorded within one hour of birth and then 12 hourly till discharge. Mothers were an active participant in recognizing hypothermia by touching the skin of feet and abdomen of the baby(10) and bringing it to the notice of resident on duty who further confirmed it by axillary temperature of < 35°C. Babies found to be hypothermic (axillary temperature < 35°C) were admitted to newborn unit in the Department of Pediatrics and managed under radiant warmer/incubator. Temperature of these babies were recorded hourly till stabilized. Low reading thermometer (recording upto 22°C) was used for it. Depending upon the axillary temperature babies were grouped as follows: (i) Hypothermia: 32°C to < 35°C; and (ii) Severe hypothermia: <32°C.

Transportation of hypothermic babies from obstetrical unit at KNH to newborn nursery at IGMC, Shimla (6-7 km) was done by Ambulance/Private Vehicle after wrapping them in. cotton and covering by blanket. Sometimes during snowfall when vehicles did not ply, transportation. was done on foot. Summer was counted from April to September and winter from October to March.

Babies were found hypothermic either in operation theatre, labor room or in the maternity ward. The ambient temperature of operation theatre, labor room and maternity ward during the study period remained between 15°C-26°C. The temperature of the newborn nursery where the hypothermic babies were managed was maintained "between 28°C-32°C.

Investigations done in all the hypothermic babies were blood culture, sepsis screen, serum electrolytes, blood sugar and X-ray chest. Ultrasound and CT Scan of head were done only in those babies who were suspected to have intracranial bleed.

Data so collected was fed in the computer and subjected to statistical analysis using chi-square test.

Results

During one year study period, there were 2063 live births and 59 (2.9%) of these developed hypothermia. The incidence of hypothermia was observed to vary with seasons being significantly higher in winter. From October to March (winter) the incidence was 3.9% (38/953) as compared to 1.9% (21/1110) from April to September (summer) [p < 0.005]. Hypothermia was found to be significantly higher amongst LBW, preterm and SFD babies (Table 1).

Hypothermia was detected in babies while they were in operation theatre (n
= 11), labour room (n = 18) and maternity ward with mothers (n = 26). Four of the babies developed hypothermia after the discharge from hospital and they were readmitted in the newborn nursery.

Clinical features and biochemical abnormalities found in babies with hypothermia and/or other morbidity are shown in Table II. The average time taken for correction of hypothermia in those babies who re- covered from hypothermia was 5 hours (3- 8 hours).

The first 24 hours of life were observed to be critical for maintaining the body temperature as the maximum cases of hypoth
ermia (n = 47) were seen within this period. Birth asphyxia requiring active resuscitation was associated with 51 % (n = 30) cases of hypothermia and 18.6% (n = 11) had septicemia.




TABLE I

Incidence
of Hypothermia (%) by Birth Weight, Gestation and Gestational Category.

Variable
 

Total
live births
Hypothermia
(%)
X2
(p)
OR
(95% CI)
Birth weight 
< 2500 g 573 48 (8.4) 87.04 12.29
2500 g 1490 11 (0.7) « 0.001) (7.3 - 20.8)
Period of gestation
< 37 week 277 41 (14.8) 164.27 17.06
≥37 week 1786 18 (1.0) (< 0.001) (11.1- 26.3)
Gestational category* 
SFD (< - 2SD) 148 24 (16.2) 102.4 10.39
AFD 1897 35 (1.9) (< 0.001) (6.6 -16.4)

* 18 of the babies were large for date and none of these developed hypothermia.
SFD - Small for date, AFD - Appropriate for date.


 

 

TABLE II

Clinical Features and Biochemical Abnormalities in Babies With Hypothermia (n
= 59).

Clinical features n (%) Biochemical abnormality n (%)
Apathy I Lethargy 59 (100) Hypoglycemia 9 (15.3)
Refusal to feed 59 (100) Hypoglycemia 4 (6.8)
Coldness to touch 59 (100) Acidosis 12 (20.3)
Immobility 38 (64.4) Hyperbilirubinemia 6 (10.2)
Redness of face & extremities 19 (32.2) Hyponatremia 2 (3.4)
Bradycardia 44 (74.6)      
Apnea 8 (13.6)      
Seizures 5 (8.5)      
Sclerema 4 (6.8)      
Oliguria 6 (10.2)      
Edema 7 (11.9)      
Severe hypothermia* 16 (27.1)      


There were 73 neonatal deaths during  the study period and primary causes of neonatal death were asphyxial conditions (n = 23), infections (n = 17), immaturity (n = 13), hypothermia (n = 7), congenital malformation (n = 1) and' miscellaneous (n = 12). Hypothermia alone contributed to 6.9% (n = 7) of all neonatal deaths, besides 9 of the newborns who died due to birth asphyxia, 8 with immaturity, 4 with infections and 2 with miscellaneous conditions also had hypothermia in addition to the primary morbidities. In all 59 of the babies who suffered from hypothermia with or without other illnesses 51 % (n = 30) died.

Discussion

Neonatal hypothermia has been re- ported at the institutional level in some developing countries including India (11,12). The dual factors influencing hypothermia are disorders of body's thermoregulatory mechanism and low environmental temperature. There is a higher incidence of neonatal cold injury in winter nights and in winter months(4,5,13). In our study, the overall incidence of hypothermia was high (2.9%) against 1.9% reported from New Delhi(12). A significantly higher incidence of hypothermia amongst neonates during winter is also in conformity with earlier experience(13).

It is well documented fact that birth weight and gestational age have an important bearing on incidence and associated mortality due to hypothermia(9). In our study the incidence as well as mortality due to hypothermia was higher in LBW babies. Our study confirmed the association between birth asphyxia and hypothermia (51%) as most of these babies required active resuscitation and hence prolonged exposure.

Overall 51 % of mortality amongst hypothermic neonates is comparable to 56.2% reported from North India(13). Hypothermia contributed to 9.6% of total neonatal deaths in contrast to 1.4% from Varanasi(11). This could be related to cold weather round the year and time for transportation of sick babies from KNH to Pediatric Ward.

In conclusion, the incidence as well as mortality due to hypothermia was significantly higher amongst LBW, perterm and SPD babies and in babies having other associated illnesses. The first 24 hours of birth were found to be critical for the development of hypothermia. A significant seasonal variation with higher incidence of hypothermia during winter is also reflected in the study. Hypothermia is an important cause of preventable morbidity and mortality amongst neonates. The incidence of hypothermia can be lowered by providing effective warming facility in the labor room, operation theatre and during the transportation of sick neonates.


 

 References


1. Tafari N. Hypothermia in the tropics: Epidemiological aspects. In: Breathing and Warmth at Birth: Judging the Appropirateness of Technology. Eds. Sterky G, Tafari N, Tunnel R. Stockholm, Swedish Agency for Research Coopera- tion, 1985; pp 53-58.

2. Briend A. Neonatal hypothermia in West Africa. Lancet 1981; 1: 846-847.

3. Christensson K, Ransjo - Aevidson AB, Lungu F. Midwifery care routines and prevention of heat loss in the newborn. A study in Zambia. J Trop Pediatr 1988; 34: 208-212.

4. Bower BD, Jones LF, Weeks MM. Cold in- jury in the newborn: A study of 70 cases. Br Med J 1960; i: 303-309.

5. Arnell GC, Kerr MM. Severe hypothermia in Glasgow infants in winter. Lancet 1963; ii: 756-759.

6. Hay E, Scopes JW. Thermoregulation in the newborn. In: Neonatology, 3rd edn. Ed. Averry MA. Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott Company, 1987; pp 201-211.

7. Parmar VR, Grover N, .Randhawa I, Bahl L, Kaushal RK. Perinatal mortality in Shimla. Indian Pediatr 1994; 31: 833-836.

8.
Iyenger SD, Bhakoo ON. Prevention of neonatal hypothermia in Himalayan villages: Role of the domiciliary caretaker. Trop Geogr Med 1991; 43: 293-296.

9. Singh M. Temperature regulation. In: Care of Newborn, 4th edn. Ed. Singh M. New Delhi, Sagar Publications, 1991; pp 148-153. .

10. Deorari AK. Detection of hypothermia by human touch. Bull NNF 1995; 9: 2.

11. Garg VK, Singh MN, Mishra OP. Neonatal mortality rate. A hospital study. Indian Pediatr 1987; 24: 639-643.

12. Singh M, Deorari AK, Khajuria RC. A four year study on neonatal morbidity in a New Delhi Hospital. Indian J Med Res 1991; 94: 186-192. .

13. Singh H, Singh D, Jain BK. Transport of referred sick neonates: How far from ideal. Indian Pediatrics 1996, 33:851- 853.

Home

Past Issue

About IP

About IAP

Feedback

Links

 Author Info.

  Subscription