Which babies are at higher risk to have hypothermia?

Option 2 : Low birth weight babies

Concept:-

Hypothermia:

• It is defined as a core temperature < 35 degrees Celsius.
• It occurs in all settings and in all seasons.
• It is commonly associated with concurrent trauma. Elderly patients are often found indoors with underlying illnesses that can predispose them to hypothermia.
• It is considered a silent killer in neonates.
• Hypothermia is a major factor in morbidity and mortality of low-birth-weight (LBW) premature infants.

Explanation:

• Low birth weight:
  • ​it is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 2.5 kg.
  • An average newborn usually weighs about 8 pounds.
  • A low birth weight baby may be healthy even though he or she is small. But a low birth weight baby can also have many serious health problems.

Causes of low birth weight:

• Poor prenatal nutrition.
• Use of alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs.
• Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
• Gestational diabetes.
• Chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart problems, lung or kidney problems, and high blood pressure.