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Hypothermia

Corey J Costanzo, DO, MPH, MS Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Accidental hypothermia is the result of an unanticipated environmental exposure to cold temperatures. It is manifested as a core temperature of <35 °C (95 °F) and it may take hour...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Presentation varies with temperature of patient.

  • The history is often apparent in the setting of outdoor environmental exposures. It may be less clear with cold indoor environments. Pa...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Prehospital (2,3)

    • Factors to guide treatment (while helpful, core temperature should not be the sole basis to guide treatment)

      • Level of consciousness

      • Shivering intensity

      • Cardiov...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • During acute episode: Monitor cardiac rhythm, urinary output, check electrolytes, blood gases, and glucose frequently.

  • Following acute episode: C...

REFERENCES

1
Dow J, Giesbrecht GG, Danzl DF, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2019 Update. Wild...

CODES

ICD10

  • T68.XXXA Hypothermia, initial encounter

  • T68.XXXD Hypothermia, subsequent encounter

  • T68.XXXS Hypothermia, sequela

SNOMED

  • 386689009 Hypothermia (finding)

  • 83966006 Hypothermia due to cold environme...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The most common cause of hypothermia in the United States is cold exposure associated with alcohol intoxication.

  • With a severely decreased core temperature, begin resuscitation (if poss...

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