Hypothermia among neonates admitted to the neonatal unit at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of hypothermia on admission and at 24 h of life in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and associated morbidity and mortality. Hospital records of VLBWI admitted to a neonatal unit were reviewed for information on patient's body temperature, clinical characteristics and mortality. Comparisons between normothermic and hypothermic VLBWI were performed. Mean gestational age and birth weight of enrolled infants were 29 ± 3 weeks and 1140 ± 253 g, respectively. Prevalence of admission hypothermia was 46.1%, with 38% developing hypothermia within 24-h following admission. VLBWI with hypothermia were more likely to have been born vaginally [aOR 2.85 (1.37-5.91)], have a birth weight < 1000 g [aOR 2.28 (1.25-4.16)], required resuscitation at birth [aOR 2.20 (1.23-3.94)], develop metabolic acidosis [aOR 3.04 (1.35-6.84)] and die within the first week of life [aOR 4.79 (1.43-16.02)]. Prevalence of hypothermia in VLBWI is high and is associated with poor outcomes.