Neonatal hypothermia

Management of the thermal needs of the preterm infant at delivery through to admission to the neonatal unit remains a challenge to all health professionals involved in the care of the neonate. Despite advances in the understanding of methods of heat loss all to often neonates are subjected to becoming exposed to hypothermia. Hypothermia can have a significant effect on the infants health status which can lead to, decreased surfactant production, increased oxygen consumption and depletion of calorie reserves [Bailey, J., Rose, P., 2000. Temperature measurement in the preterm infant: a literature review. Journal of Neonatal Nursing 6 (1), 28-32]. Health professionals have a responsibility to be aware of and to ensure that the thermoregulatory needs of the infant are upheld in order to provide them with the best start possible. The article provides a detailed analysis of the importance of thermoregulation within the pre-term infant with particular reference to a case study identified within my practice as a neonatal nurse. Methods of heat loss are identified alongside positive changes to future practice.