Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1973 Jan 27;1(5847):200-6.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5847.200.

Body temperatures in the elderly: a national study of physiological, social, and environmental conditions

R H Fox, P M Woodward, A N Exton-Smith, M F Green, D V Donnison, M H Wicks

Body temperatures in the elderly: a national study of physiological, social, and environmental conditions

R H Fox et al. Br Med J. .

Abstract

Two large-scale surveys of body temperatures in elderly people living at home were carried out in the winter of 1972. Most of the homes visited were cold with room temperatures below the minimum recommended by the Department of Health. Deep body temperatures below 35.5 degrees C were found in 10% of those studied, and the difference between the skin temperature and the core temperature was also reduced in this group. Such individuals are at risk of developing hypothermia since they show evidence of some degree of thermoregulatory failure. Further research is needed, but meanwhile there are practical measures that could be taken to reduce the risk of hypothermia in the elderly.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Gerontol Clin (Basel). 1968;10(5):281-7 - PubMed
    1. Public Health. 1969 Jul;83(5):229-39 - PubMed
    1. Lancet. 1970 Nov 21;2(7682):1088 - PubMed
    1. Lancet. 1971 Feb 27;1(7696):424-7 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J. 1971 Dec 11;4(5788):656-9 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources