Accidental hypothermia in a child

Paediatr Anaesth. 1999;9(4):342-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1460-9592.1999.00346.x.

Abstract

We report a case of severe accidental hypothermia (24.8 degrees C) in a seven-year-old child due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures and temporary contact with river water. When the patient was seen in hospital, bradycardia (30.min-1), bradypnoea (5. min-1), scarcely reacting pupils, and Glasgow Coma Scale=3 were noted. For rewarming minimally invasive techniques (humidified warmed gases and intravenous solutions at 40 degrees C) were employed with a very successful outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents*
  • Bradycardia / therapy
  • Child
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Humidity
  • Hypothermia / therapy*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Respiration Disorders / therapy
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Rewarming
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Water

Substances

  • Water