BMJ  2006;332:706-709 (25 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7543.706

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Accidental hypothermia

Elliot Epstein, consultant in general and geriatric medicine1, Kiran Anna, medical senior house officer1

1 Walsall Manor Hospital, Walsall, West Midlands WS2 9PS

Correspondence to: E Epstein elliotepstein832@hotmail.com

Hypothermia is a life threatening condition, and management can be challenging, with little robust evidence to support the various treatments. This article should help doctors to understand the condition better

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Hypothermia can be defined as an unintentional fall in core body temperature below 35°C.1 It can be classified as mild (core body temperature 32.2-35°C), moderate (< 32.2-28°C), or severe (< 28°C).

Maintaining a normal body temperature is essential for our metabolism to function optimally. The human body has developed an elaborate system for balancing heat production and heat loss.

In simple terms, heat is generated by the metabolic processes that occur within the tissues of the body, such as fat and muscle.2 Metabolic rate refers to the rate of heat liberated during these chemical reactions.2 In a cold environment, involuntary contraction and expansion of muscle groups generates warmth. This process is known as shivering.

Heat is lost by radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.2

  • Radiation—Loss of heat may occur to surrounding cooler objects in the form of infrared radiation
  • Conduction—Heat may be lost to objects close to the skin, such as . . . [Full text of this article]


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The management of accidental hypothermia
W G Headdon, P M Wilson, and Harry R Dalton
BMJ 2009 338: b2085. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Headdon, W G, Wilson, P M, Dalton, H. R (2009). The management of accidental hypothermia. BMJ 338: b2085-b2085 [Full text]  
  • Dutto, L., Allione, A., Ricca, M., Migliore, E., Tartaglino, B. (2009). A spiked arrowhead in severe hypothermia: the Osborn wave. BMJ Case Reports 2009: bcr0620080141-bcr0620080141 [Full text]  

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