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. 2020 Mar;40(3):433-438.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-019-0539-y. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Hypothermia among neonates admitted to the neonatal unit at a tertiary hospital in South Africa

Jacqueline C Ng'eny  1 , Sithembiso Velaphi  2
Affiliations

Hypothermia among neonates admitted to the neonatal unit at a tertiary hospital in South Africa

Jacqueline C Ng'eny et al. J Perinatol. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypothermia on admission and at 24 h of life in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and associated morbidity and mortality.

Study design: Hospital records of VLBWI admitted to a neonatal unit were reviewed for information on patient's body temperature, clinical characteristics and mortality. Comparisons between normothermic and hypothermic VLBWI were performed.

Results: Mean gestational age and birth weight of enrolled infants were 29 ± 3 weeks and 1140 ± 253 g, respectively. Prevalence of admission hypothermia was 46.1%, with 38% developing hypothermia within 24-h following admission. VLBWI with hypothermia were more likely to have been born vaginally [aOR 2.85 (1.37-5.91)], have a birth weight < 1000 g [aOR 2.28 (1.25-4.16)], required resuscitation at birth [aOR 2.20 (1.23-3.94)], develop metabolic acidosis [aOR 3.04 (1.35-6.84)] and die within the first week of life [aOR 4.79 (1.43-16.02)].

Conclusions: Prevalence of hypothermia in VLBWI is high and is associated with poor outcomes.

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