Abstract

BANDA JARA, Beatriz; QUINONES, Alexandra; POOL, Marilyn  and  CARVAJAL, Aaron. HYPERTHERMIA SECONDARY TO OVERHEATING IN TERM NEWBORNS. Rev. Méd. La Paz [online]. 2019, vol.25, n.2, pp.36-41. ISSN 1726-8958.

INTRODUCTION. Hyperthermia secondary to overheating in term newborns in the puerperal period may result from exposure to solar heat sources, high temperature and excessive overcoating. Hyperthermia increases the metabolic rate as well as the loss of water due to evaporation and can cause dehydration. Therefore, it is important to dress the newborn according to environmental conditions, monitor thermoregulation and ensure breastfeeding. OBJECTIVES. To determine the causes and effects of hyperthermia present in term newborns at Hospital de Especialidades Materno Infantil of Caja Nacional de Salud in La Paz - Bolivia during October to December in 2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Descriptive, observational and prospective study to analyze the frequent cases of reported hyperthermia. The treatment consisted of recording the axillary and environmental temperature, adjusting newborns clothing and ensuring adequate supply of breastfeeding. RESULTS. It was considered 311 in-term newborns, who were exposed to a room temperature between 23 and 29 °C, besides sources of solar heat and/or overcoating. From all of them, 51 (16.4%) developed hyperthermia and 20 (6.4%) dehydration. Ninety seven percent of newborns received exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSION. Overheating due to excessive overcoating and exposure to high temperatures associated with insufficient breastfeeding are risk factors for hyperthermia.

Keywords : Neonate; hyperthermia; overheating; dehydration.

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