Hypothermia in children with severe neurological disabilities.
Four severely disabled children who developed hypothermia during acute illness are described. A central defect in thermoregulation in the hypothalamus is likely, based on clinical observation and limited investigations, as well as similarities to sporadic cases reported in the literature. Disturbance of temperature regulation appears to be a rare complication of major brain injury in children, without necessarily occurring in association with pituitary dysfunction. It is of clinical importance because subnormal temperature may indicate severe sepsis.
Tobin
J
J
Department of Child Development and Rehabilitation, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Reddihough
D
D
D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000503:physiopathology*