NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA

 NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA

 This is a condition in which the neonates body temperature falls below 36*C .the baby losses heat through radiation,conduction, convection and evaporation.

 PREDISPOSING FACTORS

ü Prematurity

ü Asphyxia neonatorum

ü  Maternal diabetes mellitus

ü Respiratory distress syndrome

ü  Cold environment

CLINICAL FEATURES

ü Rectal temperatures is below 36*C

ü Baby feels cold on touch

ü Paleness of extremeties and face

ü Very weak cry

ü Low respiration rate

ü Baby not eager to feed (poor feeding)

NURSING MANAGEMENT

ü Nurse the baby in a warm environment in a resuscitaire or wrap it in warm clothings

ü Feed the baby with expressed breast milk via NG tube

ü Give the baby extra glucose e.g. dextrose

ü Closely observe the baby for signs of hypoglycaemia and if present, give 10% dextrose

ü Check for and treat convulsions with anticonvulsants

 PREVENTION

ü Delivery  should be conducted in a room temperature

ü Put the baby on resuscitaire or in incubator to compensate heat loss to the environment.

ü Baby should not be bathed within 1hr of life but top-tailing can be done after one hour.

ü Encourage skin to skin contact (kangaroo method) when carrying the baby.

COMPLICATIONS

ü Convulsions

ü Hypoglycaemia

ü Brain damage

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