Epidemiological study on hypothermia in newborns.

A study on the incidence and high risk factors of hypothermia in the newborn was carried out in a period of four months (Nov. 1988-Feb. 1989) in 6 counties of 3 provinces. Totally 14,809 newborns were studied, in whom 100 cases were found to be ill with sclerema, having an incidence of 6.7%. Gestational age, body weight, low room temperature, improper methods of thermopreservation during delivery and asphyxia are determined as the most probable high risk factors, in which gestational age and body weight are negatively correlated with the contraction of the disease. It suggests that the prevention of prematurity and asphyxia, and promotion of thermopreservation during delivery should be helpful in preventing sclerema of newborns.