Point-of-admission hypothermia among high-risk Nigerian newborns.
BACKGROUND
Facilities which manage high-risk babies should frequently assess the burden of hypothermia and strive to reduce the incidence.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and outcome of point-of-admission hypothermia among hospitalized babies.


METHODS
The axillary temperatures of consecutive admissions into a Nigerian Newborn Unit were recorded. Temperature <36.5 degrees C defined hypothermia. The biodata and outcome of these babies were studied.


RESULTS
Of 150 babies aged 0 to 648 hours, 93 had hypothermia with an incidence of 62%. Mild and moderate hypothermia accounted for 47.3% and 52.7% respectively. The incidence of hypothermia was highest (72.4%) among babies aged less than 24 hours. It was also higher among out-born babies compared to in-born babies (64.4% vs 58.3%). Preterm babies had significantly higher incidence of hypothermia (82.5%) compared with 54.5% of term babies (RR = 1.51; CI = 1.21 - 1.89). The incidence of hypothermia was also highest (93.3%) among very-low-birth-weight babies. The Case-Fatality-Rate was significantly higher among hypothermic babies (37.6% vs 16.7%; RR = 2.26, CI = 1.14 - 4.48) and among out-born hypothermic babies (50% vs 17.1%; RR = 0.34, CI = 0.16 - 0.74). CFR was highest among hypothermic babies with severe respiratory distress, sepsis, preterm birth and asphyxia.


CONCLUSIONS
The high incidence and poor outcome of hypothermia among high-risk babies is important. The use of the 'warm chain' and skin-to-skin contact between mother and her infant into routine delivery services in health facilities and at home may be useful.
Ogunlesi
Tinuade A
TA
Department of Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria. tinuade_ogunlesi@yahoo.co.uk
Ogunfowora
Olusoga B
OB
Adekanmbi
Folashade A
FA
Fetuga
Bolanle M
BM
Olanrewaju
Durotoye M
DM
D001724:Birth Weight; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015994:Incidence; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors