Some Aspects of Thermoregulatory Reactions in Newborn Infants during the First Hours of Life

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Abstract
In 80 newborn infants during the first 6 hours of life, oxygen consumption, rectal and skin temperatures, respiratory rate and capillary blood oxygen content have been studied in relation to changes in environmental temperature over the range 19-34[degree] C. Oxygen consumption and respiratory rate were highest in infants immediately after birth, probably in relation to their greater activity. Minimal oxygen consumption was found in all groups at 29[degree], and it rose proportionately to decreases in environmental temperature. Only in infants immediately after birth was no further increase in rate found from 24 to 19[degree], although rectal and skin temperatures fell. Infants within the first hour after birth were unable to increase heat production sufficiently to maintain body temperature at low temperatures. This inability was attributed to the mild hypoxia present in newborn infants immediately following birth. By 2-6 hours after birth, infants increased oxygen consumption still more at 19[degree], and skin temperatures fell only in the extremities, while they did not on the trunk and forehead, nor did rectal temperature fall. The ability to maintain body temperature through chemical thermoregulation in cool environments is fairly well developed in newborn infants by the second hour following birth. The oxygen content of capillary blood was not related to environmental temperature, rectal and skin temperatures, or even skin temperature at the site of cutaneous puncture for blood samples.