Thermoregulation in babies immediately after birth

Abstract

The fall in body temperature that occurs in babies soon after birth is influenced by the baby's weight and its environmental conditions. The rate of oxygen consumption 1 1/2 hours after birth was unrelated to body temperature and was only slightly raised, indicating a limited thermogenic capacity. A radiant heater effectively prevented cooling in babies kept with their mother in the delivery room. Washing soon after birth caused a significant cooling. Healthy term babies were found to have a limited thermogenic response to a cool environment over the first 12 hours of life and efforts to limit heat losses should be concentrated on this period. on this period