Bradycardia in a newborn with accidental severe hypothermia: treat or don’t touch? A case report

Background Hypothermia significantly affects mortality and morbidity of newborns. Literature about severe accidental hypothermia in neonates is limited. We report a case of a neonate suffering from severe accidental hypothermia. An understanding of the physiology of neonatal thermoregulation and hypothermia is important to decide on treatment. Case presentation A low-birth-weight newborn was found with severe accidental hypothermia (rectal temperature 25.7 °C) due to prolonged exposure to low ambient temperature. The newborn presented bradycardic, bradypnoeic, lethargic, pale and cold. Bradycardia, bradypnea and impaired consciousness were interpreted in the context of the measured body temperature. Therefore, no reanimation or intubation was initiated. The newborn was closely monitored and successfully treated only with active and passive rewarming. Conclusion Clinical parameters such as heart frequency, blood pressure, respiration and consciousness must be interpreted in light of the measured body temperature. Medical treatment should be adapted to the clinical presentation. External rewarming can be a safe and effective measure in neonatal patients.

Bradycardia in Accidental Severe Hypothermia in a Newborn: Treat or Don’t Touch? A case report

BackgroundHypothermia significantly affects mortality and morbidity of newborns. Literature about severe accidental hypothermia in neonates is limited. We present a case of a neonate suffering from severe accidental hypothermia. An understanding of the physiology of neonatal thermoregulation and hypothermia is important to decide on treatment.Case presentationWe report a case of severe accidental hypothermia (rectal temperature 25.7°C) in a hypothropic newborn due to prolonged exposure to low ambient temperature. The newborn presented bradycardic, bradypneic, lethargic, pale and cold. Bradycardia, bradypnea and consciousness were interpreted in the context of the measured body temperature. Therefore, no reanimation or intubation was initiated. The newborn was closely monitored and successfully treated only with active and passive rewarming. ConclusionClinical parameters such as heart frequency, blood pressure, respiration and consciousness must be interpreted in light of the measured body temperature. Medical treatment should be adapted to the clinical presentation. External rewarming can be a safe and effective measure in neonatal patients.

Iceman Survived due to Cooling Device

Although mild hypothermia treatment is part of the standard postresuscitation care today, no standard method for treatment of accidental severe hypothermia has been yet established. Different strategies including invasive and noninvasive methods have been described in the literature. We present the case of a 75-year-old man with accidental severe hypothermia (23°C) and demonstrate that using a surface cooling device with automatic controlled temperature feedback mechanism (ArcticSun2000 Medivance, Louisville, Colorado, USA) is an effective and safe method for controlled rewarming in this life-threatening setting.