thermoregulation

newborn/infants: anatomy

• brown adipose tissue » helps protect organs from extreme temperature changes

• less SQ fat than adult with thin epidermis

• homeothermic » baby attempting to stabilize their internal core body temp despite varying temperatures of their environment

• blood vessels are closer to skin » newborn’s circulation is easily influenced by changes in environmental temperature

• flexed posture of newborn baby decreases surface area expose to the environment, reducing heat loss

• body temp is extremely labile » keep dry and warm to prevent hypothermia

• tympanic route is best for temperature measurment

newborn/infants: neutral thermal environment

• pre term baby with less adipose tissue and hypoflexed in posture requires higher environmental temperatures to reach NTE

• larger full term baby may be able tope with lower environmental temperatures better

• if environmental temp falls lower below NTE, newborn responds with increased oxygen consumption and metabolism » greater heat production

children and adolescents

• before puberty, temperature more variable than in adults

• tolerate high temperatures well, and often have extremely high temps when ill

• healthy child can have a temp as high as 105.8F (41C) without difficulty

• hypothalamic temperature regulation in children typically fully develops around 1.5-2 years

older adult population

• do exhibit typical s/s related to illness and may not present with fever, as sign of infectious process

• most common causes: infection, noninfectious inflammatory disorders, cancer

over age 75 risks

• hypothermia

• inadequate diet, loss of SQ fat, and lack of activity

• decreased thermoregulatory controls

• temperature measurements tend to be lower than middle aged adults