Newborn Cold Stress and Thermoregulation

Newborns are highly vulnerable to heat loss and cold stress because of their large body surface area-to-mass ratio, limited subcutaneous fat, immature thermoregulatory mechanisms, and wet state at birth. Cold stress triggers metabolic consequences that can rapidly deteriorate the newborn's condition. NCLEX-PN tests the four mechanisms of heat loss, cold stress consequences, and nursing interventions.