Hypothermia and Related Factors in High-Risk Infants

Abstract

Purpose: Maintaining body temperature is a key vital function of human beings, but little is known about how body temperature of highrisk infants is sustained during early life after birth. The aim of this study was to describe hypothermia in high-risk infants during their first week of life and examine demographic, environmental, and clinical attributors of hypothermia. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was done from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. Medical records of 570 high-risk infants hospitalized at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of a university affiliated hospital were examined. Body temperature and related factors were assessed for seven days after birth. Results: A total of 336 events of hypothermia (212 mild and 124 moderate) occurred in 280 neonates (49.1%) and most events (84.5%) occurred within 24 hours after birth. Logistic regression analysis revealed that phototherapy (aOR=0.28, 95% CI=0.10-0.78), Apgar score at 5 minute (aOR=2.20, 95% CI=1.17-4.12), and intra-uterine growth retardation or small for gestational age (aOR=3.58, 95% CI=1.69-7.58) were statistically significant contributors to hypothermia. Conclusion: Findings indicate that high-risk infants are at risk for hypothermia even when in the NICU. More advanced nursing interventions are necessary to prevent hypothermia of high-risk infants.