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BODY TEMPERATURE

 

A child's normal body temperature is 36-37.2°C(97-99°F). A 'thermostat' in the brain helps the body to maintain a balance between heat gain and  loss.

 

• The temperature regulating mechanism in babies is underdeveloped so they are at risk of developing hypothermia if, for example, they are in a cold room. 
• The difference between a chill and hypothermia is a matter of degree. While a chill is a mild, easily reversed condition, hypothermia is serious and requires immediate action to be taken. 
• Exposure to cold environments causes heat to be lost faster than the body can generate it. For example, immersion in cold water can increase heat loss by up to 25 times. 

From a Chill to hypothermia

 

A chill is a slight lowering of body temperature, which can result from being in a cold draught or not wearing enough warm clothing. Hypothermia is said to have occurred when the body's core temperature drops below 35°C (95°F).

 

• A chill affects the surface layer of the body only and appropriate action is taken, such as putting on warmer clothing, the cooling process is quickly reversed.

·        If sufficient action is not taken to reverse the effects of cooling, the cold may penetrate deeper into the body, which may cause the body's core temperature to drop enough for hypothermia to set in. 

·        Small babies and the elderly are more prone to chills and hypothermia than adults. Infants have a lower volume to surface ratio than adults and thus their bodies cool more rapidly. Elderly people tend to cool down more easily because they often have a slower metabolism and are less active than younger adults. 

·        Contrary to popular belief, a chill is not the direct cause of a cold. But when body temperature is lowered, resistance to infection may be reduced, allowing the common cold virus to invade.

 

Physical effects

 

Moderate hypothermia can be reversed, but a severe case can be fatal. The effects will depend on how far and at what speed the temperature drops.

 

Hypothermia depresses the central nervous system. 

Below 33°C (91.5°F) the electrical activity of the brain becomes abnormal. 

The hypothalamus in the brain, which normally controls body temperature, starts to malfunction. 

Finally the whole body starts to slow down. The heart rate drops and breathing becomes slow and shallow. 

As the blood supply to the brain is reduced, the child becomes unconscious. If the body temperature falls too much, the heart becomes arrhythmic, kidney and lung failures occur, and the result is usually coma and death.   

Signs in babies

 

The body goes through a series of stages before hypothermia sets in. Be aware of the signs that a baby is developing hypothermia.

 

Shivering: this is a result of the involuntary rapid contraction and relaxation of muscles, as the body tries to use them to generate heat.

 

Curling up: you may notice that an older baby or a toddler instinctively curls up in a ball to reduce the surface area exposed to cold air.

 

Cold skin: the skin may look healthy but feel cold to the touch. This occurs as a result of the body attempting to maintain the temperature of the blood being sent to the brain, heart and other vital organs. The skin often becomes pale and cold to the touch due to the lack of blood being supplied to it, and may look red or blue

 

Behavioral changes: a baby may be drowsy and limp. He may be unusually quiet or cry, and may refuse to feed. Signs in an older child include being lethargic, feeling dizzy and nauseous, losing co-ordination and starting to stumble. A child with severe hypothermia may become confused and actually remove clothing.

 

Preventing chills and hypothermia

 

The obvious way to prevent the body from the cooling down is to avoid exposure to cold.  In cold condition take precaution to keep your baby warm.

 

·        For a baby sitting in a pram outside on a hot day, a single layer of clothing may be sufficient, but on a cold day in winter you will need to put your baby in several layers of clothing. 

·        In a cool room your baby will need more layers of clothing than in a warm, centrally heated room. At night make sure that your baby is covered with adequate bedding. 

·        Don't overdo clothing or bedding. Remember that a baby can be too hot as well as too cold. Keep room temperature at 18°C (64°F).

 

Treating hypothermia in babies

 

Hypothermia requires immediate treatment. The sooner a baby or child can be warmed, the greater their chances of survival.

 

Dial 966-2-5021 and ask for an ambulance. 

Wrap your baby in a blanket. Warm him gradually ­warming him too quickly may place a strain on his heart. 

Put a hat on him to prevent further heat loss through his head. 

Hold him against you so that he can benefit from your body heat. 

If possible, move your baby to a warm place. Stay with him. 

NOTE: if your baby is not breathing, give artificial respiration immediately. If there is no pulse, give cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

 

Treating hypothermia in children

As with a baby, a child with hypothermia must be treated  immediately to increase her likelihood of  survival.

 

Call a doctor immediately. 

Give your child a warm bath and then wrap her in warm towels or a blanket. 

Dress your child, including a hat, and put her to bed. Do not put a hot-water bottle next to her skin as it is essential that she warms up gradually. 

Give her a warm drink and a high­ energy food, such as chocolate. 

Stay with your child so that you can monitor her condition.

 For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.