Infants are particularly susceptible to hypothermia in cold weather, according to
Professor Chagit Horowitz, director of the Bikur Cholim Hospital Pediatrics
Department. Professor Horowitz warns that the damage caused by hypothermia is liable
to harm various systems in the body, endangering the infant's life. Increased
awareness of this problem is vital for the prevention of irrevocable damage to
babies.
There are cases of hypothermia every winter, mainly in the hilly regions of
Jerusalem, Hevron and Tsefas. Infants are most susceptible to this problem during
their first few months. Those whose birth weights were relatively low are in the
highest risk group. They are more sensitive to temperature drops.
Professor Horowitz notes that in Israel, as throughout the world, hypothermia doesn't
necessarily occur more frequently in weaker sectors lacking heating systems. It is
caused mainly by parents' lack of awareness of the need for heating. "It is important
to know that an infant is much more vulnerable to cold than an adult, and sometimes
the heating in a baby's room is insufficient. This can occur when the infant's bed is
near an outer wall or he or she is in a room that is difficult to warm up because of
a high ceiling. One should also exercise caution when taking the baby out of a heated
room for any reason whatsoever," she stressed.
A temperature of 22-23 (71-73 F) degrees is recommended for baby's room. (One can
check the heat with a thermometer.)
One should be on the alert if the following symptoms appear: the baby doesn't react
by crying or screaming; he or she is quiet, drowsy and apathetic; or doesn't wake up
for meals. The fact that a baby looks good and has rosy cheeks doesn't rule out the
possibility of hypothermia. Another possible sign is swollen extremities.
When these symptoms appear, one should check the infant's temperature. If it is lower
than 36 degrees (96.8 F), he must receive immediate medical attention.
Professor Horowitz adds that it is very important to air the baby's room -- when he
isn't in it -- in order to prevent infection from winter viruses. To prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning there should be permanent ventilation outlets when combustible
materials are used to heat the room.
Overheating of a room is also not recommended, since recent studies have linked
overheating to crib death in infants up to one year old.
