Temperature control Flashcards
Why are newborn infants at a high risk of experiencing temperature-related issues?
Newborn infants have inefficient temperature-regulating mechanisms, making them susceptible to both hypothermia and hyperthermia.
How is infant temperature routinely measured?
Infant temperature is routinely measured on the abdominal skin or in the axilla. The normal range for abdominal skin temperature is 36–36.5 °C, while the normal range for axillary temperature is 36.5–37 °C.
Why are oral or rectal temperatures rarely used routinely in newborn infants?
Oral or rectal temperatures are rarely used routinely in newborn infants due to concerns about discomfort and potential injury to the delicate tissues of the mouth or rectum.
What physiological benefits occur when an infant is normothermic?
When an infant is normothermic, optimal oxygen consumption and basal metabolic rate occur, allowing the infant’s energy to be efficiently used for growth and development.
What factors influence the environmental temperature needed to maintain normothermia in infants?
The environmental temperature needed to maintain normothermia in infants is variable and depends on factors such as the infant’s weight, postnatal age, humidity, air currents, and clothing. These factors must be carefully considered to ensure the infant remains within the optimal temperature range for growth and well-being.
How are modern closed incubators and open radiant heaters typically controlled to maintain infant temperature?
Modern closed incubators and open radiant heaters are servo-controlled, operating in “skin mode” to keep the infant’s skin temperature within the normal range.
Where should the telethermometer probe be placed on the infant’s body?
The telethermometer probe should be placed on the left side of the abdomen or back, avoiding placement over the liver. It’s important to ensure that the infant does not lie directly on the probe.
What temperature range is typically maintained in incubators used without probes (in “air mode”)
In incubators used without probes (in “air mode”), the temperature is usually set between 33-35 degrees Celsius, with smaller infants requiring the higher temperatures.
How do newborn infants regulate their body temperature in a cool environment
Newborn infants cannot shiver to generate heat, so they rely on brown fat metabolism and milk as sources of energy to produce heat in a cool environment.
What is one of the major advances in newborn care related to temperature regulation?
Preventing hypothermia is considered one of the major advances in newborn care, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal body temperature for the well-being and health of newborn infants.
What is hypothermia
This is defined as a temperature below 35 °C and is associated with an increased
morbidity and mortality
How is heat lost
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation
Radiation
Conduction
if the infant is laid on a cold surface or wrapped in cold blankets.
Convection
to surrounding air especially if in a draught or if cold oxygen
administered
Evaporation
if the infant is not dried promptly or if the humidity is low.
Radiation
especially if an ‘open’ incubator is used, when heat is lost to nearby
cold windows and walls.
Commonest cause of hypothermia
The commonest cause of hypothermia in hospital is failing to dry the infant well after birth
The low birth weight infant (preterm or underweight for gestational age) is
particularly prone to hypothermia for the following reasons:
- Larger surface area for the body mass.
- Less subcutaneous tissue white fat resulting in less insulation.
- More evaporative heat loss from thin skin.
- Inadequate brown fat for non-shivering thermogenesis.
- Inadequate milk intake.
- Prone to hypoxia, hypoglycaemia and sepsis, all of which disturbs the
thermoregulatory mechanism which predisposes to hypothermia.
Hypothermia in a newborn infant may result in:
Hypoglycaemia.
* Respiratory distress.
* Increased O2
consumption.
* Hypoxia and resultant metabolic acidosis.
* Increased energy requirement.
* Poor weight gain.
* Bleeding due to DIC.
* Neonatal cold injury.
* Neonatal death
What could be an indication of cold stress in a low birth weight (LBW) infant who appears otherwise well and has a normal temperature?
Failure to gain weight normally in an otherwise well LBW infant, despite having a normal temperature, may be the only indication that the infant is suffering from cold stress.
How does cold stress affect LBW infants?
LBW infants experiencing cold stress expend excess energy to maintain a normal body temperature. This increased energy expenditure can interfere with weight gain and overall growth, despite appearing otherwise healthy.
