clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
The clinical feature of hypothermia include:
- grey complexion, with pallor and cyanosis
- skin is cold to touch, both where exposed and where usually warm, for example the abdomen and axilla
- puffy face and hoarse voice
- confusion, drowsiness and stupor, with poor judgement
- increased muscle tone, with rigidity at 32øC
- shivering, until below 30øC
- weakness
- hypokinesia
- ataxia, occasionally tremor
- tachycardia, followed by bradycardia at lower temperatures
- characteristic changes on the ECG e.g. J-waves, prolonged QT and T wave inversion may be found
- hypertension, with hypotension at lower temperatures
- hyperventilation, followed by shallow respiration, with hypoventilation causing hypoxia at lower temperatures